Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

The Gristmill, Life

Ah, the "daily grind" ...
          spin, spin, the big stone wheels,
                    the weighty rollers of life trundle on, inexorable ...
                              the intense churn of actuality cares not what finds its press -

Grain or chaff, peril or promise, all at its mercy.
          But the painful grind is necessary ... crucial, even.
                    The crushing weight of verity, growth and wisdom,
                              creates a process as elemental as breath itself.

The fruitful heart is often hidden ...
          within shells of bad habit, error, affectation, and pretense,
                    so the glorious honesty of a spirit, often bears a hard exterior.
                              Society and happenstance create phony skins ...

Brittle but strong husks of falsehood that we hide behind,
          that we tend to use incorrectly as tools of ease and deflection.
                    Only through the braying of truth and reality
                              is the resistant and distorted hull broken down ...

And the wealth and bounty inside, set free.
          Yes, the daily grind is real ... and not to be taken lightly,
                    but it is, as life itself ...
                              our brutal and beautiful blessing.




~ 4th Place ~  in "The Gristmill" Poetry Contest, Craig Cornish, Sponsor.

~ 2nd Place ~  in the "June 2018 Standard Any Form" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Sponsor.

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Elaine George June 22, 2018 at 9:04 AM So many life lessons in this beautifully written piece, Gregory. Many congrats on your win. Elaine Gregory Richard Barden June 25, 2018 at 11:11 AM That's very kind of you, Elaine, thank you so much, my friend! :-) <3

Susan Gentry June 22, 2018 at 6:44 AM Congratulations on your win with this poem written so eloquently and with line after line of profound phrases and bits of wisdom. I enjoyed. Gregory Richard Barden June 25, 2018 at 11:11 AM That's very kind of you, Susan, I'm so pleased that you got so much from it! Blessings! :-) <3

Tom Cunningham June 18, 2018 at 9:23 PM Congratulations Gregory. Tom Gregory Richard Barden June 19, 2018 at 5:11 AM Thank you so much, Sir Tom of the Soup! :-)

Gershon Wolf June 18, 2018 at 9:11 PM Your grind-it-out theme truly enchants via your poesy! … A thought: A great Sage was asked which of the two-- "Love your neighbor as yourself" or "Walk humbly before the Lord"-- was the ultimate message to man. His reply? --Neither. Rather he opted for this: "One sheep in the morning, and one in the afternoon... i.e., the grit and gristle, the blood, fire, ash and effort of the daily offerings in the Ancient Temple. How about that? --A chain of wisdom from antiquity right down to you! ~ gw Gregory Richard Barden June 19, 2018 at 5:10 AM This is wonderful, my friend - another comment worthy of a poetic label, and so spectacularly-penned! I am honored and humbled by your kindness, Gershon, and I SO appreciate this gem of wisdom and reference. Blessings, My Poet Brother! :-)

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart June 8, 2018 at 8:41 AM "our brutal and beautiful blessing", Amen. A 7, remember those? Brilliant piece Greg, eloquent as ever. Good luck in the contest dear, a winner for me! xomo <3 Gregory Richard Barden June 9, 2018 at 8:28 PM Yeah, I DO remember the point system, though it was discontinued shortly after I joined ... I kinda liked it. Thank you, Mo!

Ralph Sergi June 8, 2018 at 7:03 AM A grisly scene about our big brother mentality. WELL DONE, GREGORY! Gregory Richard Barden June 9, 2018 at 8:27 PM Thank you so much, Ralph - I greatly appreciate it! :-)

Arturo Michael June 7, 2018 at 10:18 PM That daily grind can be hard sometimes...you need a chisel to chip of the plaque gathered... All the best Gregory Gregory Richard Barden June 9, 2018 at 8:27 PM Amen, my friend - well-said, (and thank you!). :-)

Reason A. Poteet June 7, 2018 at 9:35 PM You gave some texture to the grist mill. Well-done, Gregory. Loved the metaphor. Gregory Richard Barden June 9, 2018 at 8:26 PM Many thanks, RAP - so appreciated! :-)