Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

* For my youngest daughter, Alyssa, who knows me better than I know myself - my best friend, my joy, my Squeaker - what an amazing woman you have become ... and I never doubted it for an instant! I love you. *

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the song, life -

Tiny eyelids flutter ...
The orbs beneath, busy with their magical meanderings,
Monochromatic piano keys gently holding up your cherub cheeks.
I wonder, Squeaker, so close to the instrument ...

Do you dream of melody and metre?
Are your tiny legs yet dancing across a whimsical landscape,
Black and white cobbles underfoot -
While marvelous creatures tumble and play for your charms?

Or is it possibility and hope that hammer the strings of your heart?
Oh, my precious and darling little one,
How I pray for your life to be full and fancy!
How I hope that you hear the music of wonder and enchantment ...

The white, shiny tones of joy and love and beauty!
But I wish for you to know the black keys as well,
The sharps and flats of life and love,
The darker and more concerning harmonies ...

Only in moments, but enough so you'll know their importance -
So you'll appreciate the bright melodies all the more,
And learn that it's the balance and delicate interplay of BOTH,
That makes this song, Life, so exquisite - so priceless and amazing!

I wonder, what will your song be, my little one?
What pattern will you follow as you skip atop the keys of life?
Whatever your song, Squeaker, it will be YOURS ...
And it will most certainly be joyous ... and loud! <3






~ 1st Place ~  in the "Tell Me A Story 2" Poetry Contest
Brenda Chiri, Judge & Sponsor.

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Gershon Wolf November 12, 2018 at 8:46 AM Touches the heart and the soul, 'Dad.' Bravo on this winner. ~ Gershon Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 8:04 PM That's very kind of you, Gershon, and I so appreciate it ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Carole Duet November 10, 2018 at 1:02 AM This poem is downright moving! What a beauty! I love music and this poem weaves it in so well with life's lessons in black and white just like those piano keys with their sharps and flats and joyous sounds and ...Squeaker? Who's Squeaker? Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 8:04 PM Thank you so very much, Carole! Squeaker is my youngest daughter and my best friend, and she is a musician like her daddy, so this relates to us in that fashion as well, and she fell asleep at the piano once, so when I saw the photo it hit home. PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-) <3

Joseph May November 9, 2018 at 7:42 PM Beautiful wrte Greg..Congrats on your win.. Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 8:02 PM Thank you so much, Joseph ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Mike Gentile November 9, 2018 at 1:58 PM Congratulations Gregory! This is such an elegant piece and so lovely to read ! Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 8:01 PM That's very kind of you, Mike, thank you so much ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Curtis Moorman November 9, 2018 at 1:30 PM Greg, I felt certain that if you entered the contest, this would be the picture you would choose to write about. And you did exactly that ... and you did it beautifully. Congratulations on this first place, well deserved win. Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 8:01 PM Oh, you are far too kind, Curtis, but I so appreciate your heartfelt comments ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Joanna Daniel November 9, 2018 at 8:14 AM No wonder it's a winner, Greg, this is so deeply woven and beautiful poetry:) congratulations:) Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 8:00 PM That's so very sweet of you, Jo, and I thank you heartily for the kind words ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Vladislav Raven November 9, 2018 at 5:34 AM Hi Gregory, congratulations your win in the contest with this much deserved piece. Beautiful work. Have a wonderful Friday....Mike. Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 8:00 PM That's very kind of you, Mike, and I'm pleased you liked it ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Andrea Dietrich November 8, 2018 at 6:51 PM So very sweet, Greg. There is a "Squeaker" in your life? A very well deserved win. I love how you did metaphor on life with the piano keys. Congrats Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:59 PM Thank you very much, Andrea, yes, she is my youngest daughter who is my best friend ... I call her older sister "Baby Girl" and her older brother "Bud" or "B", (for Brandon), that's just how their nick-names evolved. Blessings, Dear Poet ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-) <3

P.S. Awtry November 8, 2018 at 5:29 PM Thank you for writing something so beautiful and sharing it congratulations! Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:58 PM Many thanks to you, PS, I so appreciate it ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Heidi Sands November 8, 2018 at 3:27 PM Congratulations for your top win Gregory ~ :) Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:57 PM Thank you very much, Heidi ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

John Gondolf November 8, 2018 at 2:38 PM Greg, I loved this beautiful tribute to your daughter; there's just something special about daughters. Congrats on your win. John Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:57 PM Indeed, you are correct, John, and I have two, (and one boy, who I also adore). Many thanks to you, my good friend ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Charles Messina November 8, 2018 at 8:54 AM What a beautiful tribute to your loving daughter, Greg. I am sure she will treasure this. Best wishes to your daughter...and for a win. Charlie Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:54 PM Thank you very much, Charlie, I'm happy you enjoyed it ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-)

Kim Rodrigues November 6, 2018 at 9:17 PM A nice tribute from I think a great dad! Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:52 PM Oh, you are so kind, Kim ... I like to think I did ok, when I see what amazing adults they are, but I think that's mostly them, and their good and loving hearts. Thank you so much ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-) <3

Anisha Dutta November 6, 2018 at 12:03 PM Whelmed in the beauty of your emotion. Being a mother I sink into its depth. Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:51 PM That's so sweet of you, Anisha, I'm so happy you liked my poem ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-) <3

Sandra Haight November 6, 2018 at 11:57 AM The deep, fatherly emotions in your beautiful poem tug at my heartstrings, Greg. What amazing and powerful metaphors you entwine as your words dance across her pillow of piano keys and how these 'keys' will play out her song of life someday. Exquisitely written, and a lovely tribute to your dear, now grown daughter. A top winner and a fav for me! Sandra <3 Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:51 PM This is so sweet of you, Sandra, and your comments really mean a lot to me, as does this poem, thank you so very much ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-) <3

Wendy Watson November 6, 2018 at 8:43 AM Oh Greg. What beautiful sentiments expressed here as well as gentle warnings. I just loved the interplay of musical inferences with the theme of life itself. This is an exceptional piece of poetry and a wonderful tribute to your daughter. Best wishes Wendy Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 7:50 PM What a beautiful comment, Wendy, I am so pleased you enjoyed this one, as it is very special to me ... PLEASE accept my apologies for not thanking you properly until now, I am so far behind on things. Blessings to you for a happy holiday, my friend! :-) <3