Gregory Richard Barden | + Follow Poet |
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to heal a vacant heaven -

the gods …

awoke early that day
for the sun had swallowed the moon
and left a ragged, gaping wound in the sky …
it bled darkness like cold oil
threatening to stain
all that they had labored to create
not the least of which -
humankind -
had yet to suck a breath
or betray their common senses
but …
what of Byzantium, they pondered?
the horizon still ached for sails
but to weave an empty sky was doom
even for the regal bateaux of Valhalla -
‘breach the canopy’, they thought
sew the temporal seam with
threads of divine intent ...
net the stars like silver herring and
bind them to the gunwales, en masse -
grave the hulls on the cosmos
and set the sextant to unholy dreams ...
the day be damned
it would end nonetheless
and tomorrow would
still come ...

sail on!







~ 1st Place ~  in the "Standard Contest Number 145 Any Form" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

This poem did NOT place  in the "A Contest About a Goddess or God - Not THE God" Poetry Contest.

Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden | Year Posted 2018

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Edward Ibeh Date: 12/14/2018 8:07:00 PM Fabulous write, Greg!:-) I absolutely loved this. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/16/2018 3:21:00 PM That's very kind of you, My Poet Brother, and IO so appreciate your wonderful comments! Blessings, Edward! :-)

Carolyn Devonshire Date: 12/14/2018 11:59:00 AM It's interesting to ponder the concept of an "empty sky," Gregory, especially with the reference to Norse mythology. A thought-provoking and eloquently penned poem. Free verse allows the mind to wander unencumbered. Congrats on your win in Brian's contest. Best wishes, Carolyn Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/16/2018 3:16:00 PM This is a wonderful comment, Carolyn, and so thoughtful and sincere ... I SO appreciate you taking the time to explain your thoughts on each poem you read, it really means a lot, and is like an award all its own. Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Caren Krutsinger Date: 12/13/2018 9:09:00 PM Your imagery is impeccably gorgeous, as usual. "The sun had swallowed the moon" - wonderful and metaphorically a wow! Great job. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/13/2018 11:26:00 PM Many kind thanks, Caren, that's so kind of you, my friend ... blessings! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 12/12/2018 11:06:00 AM This awe inspiring poem conjures a dream like theme of the soul flying free amidst the cosmos. Lovely Greg! : ) xxoo Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/13/2018 11:25:00 PM Oh, that's very sweet of you, Connie, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it! :-) <3

Joseph May Date: 12/12/2018 9:39:00 AM Great storytelling Greg....Wishing you and yours a Happy Holiday Season.. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/13/2018 11:17:00 PM The same to you, Joseph, and thank you very much for the comments! Blessings! :-)

Winged Warrior Date: 12/12/2018 8:31:00 AM Awesome writing Gregory...ready for a big win...love & light...many happy endings and happy holidays my friend...^WW^ Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/13/2018 11:16:00 PM Very kind of you, ^WW^, I thank you so very much, my friend! Blessings! :-)

Constance La France Date: 12/12/2018 5:02:00 AM Greg, WOW, this is awesome in every way possible, best of luck in the contest, but this is a winner for me and a FAV ~ Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/13/2018 11:16:00 PM Thank you very much, Constance, I'm pleased you enjoyed this one - blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Mystic Rose Rose Date: 12/12/2018 4:32:00 AM Your words sail into orbit and return to earth. I loved your poem dear Gregory, Winning wishes xo Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/13/2018 11:15:00 PM That's so kind of you, Pixie, that's very sweet of you to say! :-)

Jannie Breedt Date: 12/10/2018 3:04:00 PM Howdy pard. I chose your latest write and I knew what I would find... again. A magic carpet ride into the wonderful unknown. Your kindness I found on my poem. I miss you guys so much but its asif I dare write and participate the world would explode. Were sitting here on bated breath waiting for the world to end. What would a poet do to change that? Forgive my feebleness. So much is hoing on here.... I dont know if I can even return but I renewed my subscription. Hang on Snoopy.Gift of the gab Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 12/13/2018 11:14:00 PM Oh, Jannie, My Friend, I was so happy to see this comment ... so good to hear from you! I watch the news for all I can of your homeland, and what little gets to us here in the states is not very encouraging, (to say the least). I have another friend, (pharmacist), who is from South Africa, and he gives me more info than the news does! He says he has no intentions of returning, as it has "changed into something unrecognizable" to him ... so sad. Please stay in touch, Brother, and get back to writing - I miss your energy here! Blessings!