Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

The Lady Down the Lane

droll
slap you with a word
then, cross arms and wait
that's how she'd get you ... Grace Cleaves
out-of-the-blue idiosyncrasies that she'd notice in you
laid quite flatly in your lap
for you to comment on ... or not
all conversations started thusly
for she'd make all her determinations
(ie your character and humor)
from that initial punch-to-the-gut
brilliant, yet what most people despised about her
and what sent them fuming ... she, no worse for the wear
a sly grin and a wink to her dead husband
"We've lost another one, Hubert!"
I ... ADORED her for it, and it came to be something I depended on
she was brilliant, you see ... extraordinarily so
but few people tolerated her long enough to discover it
that was her point ... and MY gift
a gift I will always ache for.





~ 1st Place ~  in the "The Lady Down The Lane" Poetry Contest
Craig Cornish, Judge & Sponsor.

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John Hamilton April 1, 2020 at 2:15 PM Congrats G I see you are still up to your winning ways. Gregory Richard Barden April 2, 2020 at 9:07 PM Thank you very much, John!

Jc Hawkens March 31, 2020 at 6:18 AM Congratulations on your win. It sounded a lot like some in my own family. "We've lost another one, Hubert!". Loved the Poem JC Hawkens Gregory Richard Barden April 2, 2020 at 9:06 PM That's very kind of you, JC, and I thank you so much for the wonderful comments! :o)

Panagiota Romios March 30, 2020 at 6:55 PM Congratulations Gregory Panagiota Romios Gregory Richard Barden April 2, 2020 at 9:06 PM Thank you so very kindly, Panagiota! :o) <3

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart March 30, 2020 at 7:54 AM This is stupendous Greg! Congratulations for your win. I love this piece, a fave. Keep well my friend, xomo <3 Gregory Richard Barden April 2, 2020 at 9:06 PM Many kind thanks to you, Mo, I appreciate you stopping by my page. Blessings, Luv. :o) <3

Anisha Dutta March 30, 2020 at 12:57 AM BIG CONGRATS TO WIN TOP. on your wonderful poem. Gregory Richard Barden April 2, 2020 at 9:05 PM Thank you so very much, Anisha - blessings! :o) <3

Connie Marcum Wong March 29, 2020 at 10:07 PM You saw her inner heart and recognised it as one of worth. This poem sings of her inner beauty Greg. Congratulations on your Trophy win. You seem to always capture the passions of the heart. xxoo Gregory Richard Barden April 2, 2020 at 9:04 PM Thank you so kindly, Connie, that means a lot, (as I haven't received many comments on this one) - I wish I'd had more lines for her, because she was SO much more than what I could speak of, and one of the most intelligent minds I've ever known, but most folks didn't KNOW that side of her, as her frankness turned them off. We have to give people a chance, because first impressions are often SO very misconceived or misunderstood. Blessings! :o) <3

Wendy Watson March 29, 2020 at 3:05 PM You really brought her eccentric character alive, Greg and I was engaged from the first word. I'm intrigued though to know whether the 'droll' was the word she attributed to you! Or was that one's initial impression of her?! Congratulations on impressing a seasoned poet like Craig! Gregory Richard Barden April 2, 2020 at 9:01 PM Thank you so very much, Wendy ... yes, SHE was droll - the definition of that adjective for me, and it grew into much more. I gained more insight and wisdom from her than I did in any other five sources when I was a young teen, and I still miss her. She had few friends because her frankness made her seem rude, yet that was NOT her intent, she just believed in saying exactly what she felt or thought, and that was gold to me. She was very lonely deep inside, though she tried not to show it, and one of the most brilliant minds I've ever known. :o) <3