Gregory Richard Barden Poet Couplet

Notes About The Poem

To Hate Hatred

Damn the tears shed for hate's sake each day
          For they threaten to sponge this good world away

We jump to condemn all our fellow's disdain
          Yet OUR acts and words are quite often the same

Human history is rife with our pushing aside
          The folks we find "different" that we should abide

The color of our flesh and the shape of our eyes
          Become standards we typecast and rationalize

Without giving thought to the lies that are spun
          We hurt folks in ways that then can't be undone

Instead of comparing our skin and our face
          We should see everybody as ONE human race

For unless we regard ALL contempt as the same
          Hatred will bloom, with our prejudice to blame

So who do we charge with abolishing hate?
          That soul in the mirror who governs our fate

We can vote to change rulings, legislation and laws
          To quiet those people who make bias their cause

Do our best to identify hate and its guises
          Combat it with love, and make no compromises

Learn to see "difference" as something that's good
          Preach kindness and tolerance, as we all should

And if we transform the contempt in our heart
          At least we can say that we've made ... a good start.




~ 3rd Place ~  in the "My Loudest Feelings" Poetry Contest, Caren Krutsinger, Judge & Sponsor.

* The fight against hatred of any kind is the thing I'm most passionate about, it will always be my loudest voice, and the thing I respond to the quickest. *

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Carole Duet January 7, 2019 at 5:26 PM I was taught to never use the word, "hate", when I was growing up and tried to teach my children the same thing. Anyway, a wonderful poem, Greg! Loved and agree with every verse and congrats on your placement in the contest. Carole :D

Connie Marcum Wong January 5, 2019 at 10:15 PM 'So who do we charge with abolishing hate?That soul in the mirror who governs our fate' Have you ever given any thought to running for office? We could use this kind of intellect. Bravo my friend. Brilliant! Congratulations on your win! : ) xxoo

Line Gauthier January 5, 2019 at 6:27 PM Well penned, Gregory. Strong message very well delivered. Congrats on your most deserving win.

Eve Roper January 5, 2019 at 10:19 AM Congratulations on your win , Greg, well done. I too wish people would only see one color or all have kind attitudes that are sincere. Hugs Eve ~`*

Kim Rodrigues January 5, 2019 at 9:02 AM Look into a person’s eyes, get to know them until you love them. Congrats, Greg! Thank you for giving us a glimpse of your heart!

Andrea Dietrich August 17, 2017 at 11:38 AM this is awesome, especially in light of that stupidity that happened last week in our nation. Tragedy from ignorance is the result of hate. I love how you ended this with Start all by itself. Gregory Richard Barden August 17, 2017 at 11:18 PM Thanks so much, Andrea, you are so correct ... fighting hatred is my number one goal, my politics, my religion, my primary concern, and rationalizing hatred FOR hatred is so destructive. It comes in many disguises, and we must recognize them ALL, and fight them with LOVE and kindness. Blessings, Friend! <3

Vijay Pandit August 17, 2017 at 5:55 AM Very timely, well articulated, good one Greg! Gregory Richard Barden August 17, 2017 at 11:15 PM Thank you, Vijay - much appreciated, Friend! :-)

Heidi Sands August 17, 2017 at 5:52 AM Excellent, well written poem Greg! So true! You have really pointed this out well. Great ending. Gregory Richard Barden August 17, 2017 at 11:14 PM Thank you, Heidi - so glad you liked it, I wish it would help ... this world is a troubled place.