Gregory Richard Barden | + Follow Poet |
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what stirs the darkness -

what is that ... there ... in the darkness?

what is that hollow creature, cold and callous
that shrouds its image in the deep, remorseless black?
careless, the coal-red glint in its eye ...
ragged-edged teeth to tear truth and sensibilities -
to rip the flesh of loving and kind intent,
imbibe its worth, and spatter the dregs into my face, sodden

I can see it moving there ...
squirming and slithering in the frigid gloom
its skin pulled taut over bones like a painted skeleton ...
broken, twisted fingers of conscience scratching at the dirt floor
tearing at its own eyes for the sake of regret
bleakly consecrated, relishing the pain, exquisite -
an anguish of introspection, suffused.

it trembles there ... innocent, wan ...
it shivers in the crepuscular quiet
the agony of alienation and loss dripping thick from its hide.

what is that monster, there?
I fear I know it, and IT knows me ...
yet I shall not give it a crumb of satisfaction or satiation -
better that it lurks there in the dim and dank
rather than give it identity.

let it wallow in its own waste
and feed on the scraps of disappointment
regret and realization lapped cold from the floor …
let it starve for want of my better aspirations and intents
I shall hold no heed nor pay no pity
else it will surely devour me ...
happy to taste the metallic tang of my lifeblood
sharp on its sordid and duplicitous tongue -
quick to digest all that I had meant for worth
and all that I had given to benefit and blessing ...
and belief.

oh, what is that ... there ...
in the tenebrous depths??
who is that hollow hellion ...
who wears my face?






~ 1st Place ~  in the "Strand Select H Any Form Any Theme" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "Hallucination" Poetry Contest, Brendan J. Simons, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 7th Place ~  in the "Loss Of An Innocent Mind" Poetry Contest, Kai Michael Neumann, Judge & Sponsor.

Copyright © Gregory Richard Barden | Year Posted 2018

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Connie Marcum Wong Date: 2/9/2020 11:05:00 PM A stirring incredible piece Greg. Congratulations! xxoo Login to Reply

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 4/10/2018 12:06:00 AM Congratulations are in order <3 Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 4/11/2018 1:07:00 AM Thank you muchly, Mo! <3

Robert L. Hinshaw Date: 3/24/2018 8:24:00 AM Greg: A heap of congrats for your lst place win for this outstanding write! Well done! Many thx for your kind comments re me win. Best to you as you continue your poetical journey - Bob Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 4/11/2018 1:07:00 AM Thank you so very much, Robert, I'm pleased you enjoyed it ... blessings to you, my friend! :-)

Eve Roper Date: 3/23/2018 12:42:00 PM Greg, nicely done verse & great imagery.. Congratulations on your win.. Hugs Eve ~`* Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 4/11/2018 1:06:00 AM Thank you so very much, Eve - so appreciated! :-) <3

Line Gauthier Date: 3/22/2018 8:29:00 AM Congrats on your awesome write, Gregory. Well done. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/23/2018 6:24:00 AM Many thanks to you, Line - blessings, friend! :-) <3

Kai Michael Neumann Date: 3/22/2018 3:28:00 AM Great. And very real. I love this poem. Big words that do not shroud the reality and the underlying emotions. Congratulations, Kai Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/23/2018 6:23:00 AM Thanks so much, Kai, I'm pleased you liked this one originally, and thanks for returning to read it again and comment - very kind, my friend! :-)

Reason A. Poteet Date: 3/21/2018 8:46:00 PM scary words, hallucinations, You make us shake and ponder. I wonder if there's a connection with Alzheimer's and hallucinations? Congratulations, Greg. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/23/2018 6:23:00 AM Thanks so much, RAP - there IS certainly a connection between hallucinations and dementia/Alzheimer's, as I have witnessed first-hand more than once with my Dad. Blessings, my friend! :-)

Carrie Richards Date: 3/21/2018 2:36:00 PM Wow......another amazing poem of yours, shakes the core of the reader, and makes the page tremble. Are we are face to face with our own demons? Well done, Gregory! !! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/23/2018 6:21:00 AM Many kind thanks to you, Carrie, for your thoughtful and sincere comments - they are so appreciated! Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Sandra Haight Date: 3/21/2018 12:59:00 PM Dark, deep, and so well-written with amazing imagery, Gregory. Congratulations on another well-deserved First Place win! Sandra Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/23/2018 6:20:00 AM That's very sweet of you, Sandra - thank you so much, my friend! :-) <3

Subimal Sinha-Roy Date: 3/21/2018 12:39:00 AM Congratulations, Greg on your great win. Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/23/2018 6:20:00 AM Thank you very much, Subimal!

Beej Simrov Date: 3/20/2018 11:54:00 PM I want to thank you for entering my contest and congratulate you on your win! It was a tough contest to judge which is why there were multiple first placers. Greg I really enjoyed this; your use of language and creative imagery struck many chords in me which is why I chose this as one of the top entries. My favorite line was “tearing its own eyes out for the sake of regret”, which I found to be haunting yet beautiful. Thanks again! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/23/2018 6:17:00 AM Thank you so very much, Brendan - I'm sorry this is a few days late, but things are just so crazy right now. I am so honored and humbled to be chosen so high on a list with such amazing poets, and I'm so pleased you enjoyed my write, as it came from a very deep place, and brought much healing and strength, (which is what I have found when writing "dark" poetry). Many thanks and blessings, my friend! :-)

Kai Michael Neumann Date: 2/28/2018 2:45:00 AM A monster of a write. Congratulations on your win in my contest. Many wishes, Kai Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 3/3/2018 4:57:00 PM Thank you so much, Kai, I greatly appreciate the honor and placement, and I'm humbled to be on a winner's list with such amazing writers! Blessings, my friend! :-)

Eve Roper Date: 2/21/2018 11:06:00 PM Magnificent write, Greg,. Congratulations on your win hugs Eve Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 2/21/2018 11:17:00 PM Many kind thanks for the wonderful comments, Eve ... blessings, friend! :-)

Susan Ashley Date: 2/21/2018 12:49:00 PM A dark and stunning poem Gregory. Superb imagery illustrates your deep write. Congratulation on your excellent win. ~Susan Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 2/21/2018 11:16:00 PM That's very kind of you, Susan, and I so appreciate the wonderful comment! Blessings! :-)

Janice Canerdy Date: 2/21/2018 8:54:00 AM Superb description of that dark side, Greg. CONGRATS on your win! Janice Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 2/21/2018 11:16:00 PM Thank you so much, Janice ... glad you enjoyed it! :-)

Bernard Chan Date: 2/1/2018 6:45:00 PM Hi Greg, this is a great piece. Engaging, riveting, with a universal theme, all expressed in arresting language. Brilliant! Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 2/1/2018 10:15:00 PM That's very kind of you, Bernard ... I'm so pleased you enjoyed this, my friend! Blessings and thanks to you! :-)

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 1/31/2018 11:52:00 AM We all live with our dark sides ever trying to escape the prison we keep them locked up in. Your poem reveals that dark side with remarkable candor. Beautifully expressed Greg. : ) Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/31/2018 9:16:00 PM That's such a wonderful comment, Connie ... you express in such wonderful ways how and where a poem has touched you, so the poet knows you have REALLY been deeply invested, and that is SUCH an amazing gift, and SO greatly appreciated and meaningful to me. Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Maureen McGreavy Pigeon Tart Date: 1/31/2018 12:05:00 AM So dark. Dark as pitch. But there is a crack, where the light gets in my friend. I was rolling in your language, the heavy saturated folds pressing. Phenomenal piece Greg xo Login to Reply Gregory Richard Barden Date: 1/31/2018 9:14:00 PM Thank you very much, Mo, I'm so pleased you liked this one ... it was a bit painful in the process, but some healing took place, I think. Blessings, Friend! :-) <3