Gregory Richard Barden Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

Would You Still Love Me

Would you still love me ... perchance I was half a man?
     My carnal, physical core torn from me like ragged raiment,
          Off to war in courage and heroic sacrifice ...
Returned by God and country, as barely half of what I'd been -
     The half that could never again join with you in passion ...
          Would you still love me?

Imagine I was a monster ...
     Deformed by happenstance or accident,
          Still a man in the technical sense,
But with face and sinews that repulsed even himself,
     Though the heart and spirit you adore still thrummed inside ...
          Would you still love me?

What if the day came - a reality as viable as any,
     When I lost everything of earthly value and worth -
          All possessions, comforts, conveniences, and financial securities - gone,
The talents and abilities and experience to support even myself,
     Blown to the four winds by careless fate or folly ...
          Would you still love me?

Consider if I were human, inside-out ...
     The abyssal and dark, troubled corners of my being
          Worn on hapless bones like sodden skin,
The fearful ids and psyches, thus laid bare by illness or substance -
     Free to dance like a demon for the porcelain moon ...
          Would you still love me?

And pray, what if I were YOU ...
     And you were the reflection of all that your dreams dare weave,
          The horror and ecstasy that awakens you in the night -
Shivers and turns to ice on your faultless, barren skin,
     Choking the screams from your chest ...
          Would you ... could you still love me??




~ 10th Place ~  in the "2019 Poetry Marathon Mile 25" Poetry Contest, Mark Toney, Judge & Sponsor.

~ 1st Place ~  in the "Would You Still Love Me?" Poetry Contest, Edward Ibeh, Judge & Sponsor.

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Edward Ibeh February 17, 2020 at 4:08 PM I never forgot this masterpiece you wrote for my contest, Greg:-) Had to dig it up and FAV it. Gregory Richard Barden February 17, 2020 at 7:15 PM That's very kind of you, Sir Edward - thank you!

P.S. Awtry March 21, 2019 at 7:55 PM The assurance of unconditional love—poignantly, poetically expresses. This is a fave for me. Congratulations! Gregory Richard Barden August 15, 2019 at 11:48 PM Amen! And thank you so very much, PS - blessings, my friend! :o) <3

Mark Toney March 21, 2019 at 7:22 PM Greg, awesome write my friend! This is some deep, dark stuff. An acquired taste from having read it numerous times and now Fav for me. Congratulations on your win on Mile 25 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest. Only 2 contests to go before the final! ~Mark Gregory Richard Barden August 15, 2019 at 11:47 PM So many kind thanks for this wonderful comment and my placement, Mark, it is so appreciated, (and I'm sorry it's so late - I swore I replied to this at the time, lol - senior moment??). Blessings, my friend! :o)

Debjani Mitra December 27, 2018 at 8:43 PM I was spellbound at this write, ...the words are so touching... A warm feeling of empathy spontaneously flows from the bottom of the heart of readers.Congratulations Gregory..for this gorgeous creation Gregory Richard Barden January 7, 2019 at 10:40 PM You are so kind, Debjani, and I am very thankful for your thoughtful words of encouragement and appreciating ... blessings and joy to you, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Josephine Ck December 25, 2018 at 7:15 PM Wow, this is wonderfully dark and gothic! Congrats on your win! Gregory Richard Barden January 7, 2019 at 10:39 PM Thank you so very much, Josephine - so appreciated, my friend! :-) <3

Connie Marcum Wong December 25, 2018 at 4:48 PM I am in AWE of your brilliance to convey the human spirit Greg! Congratulations on this well deserved First Place win! Merry Christmas my friend! Blessings, Connie xxoo : ) Gregory Richard Barden January 7, 2019 at 10:38 PM You are far too kind to me, Connie, but I so appreciate your support and sweet words! I am but an instrument, (as we all are, I believe), and it's such a blessing to be among such talented friends ... my joy! Blessings, Dear Poet! :-) <3

Gershon Wolf December 25, 2018 at 1:37 PM Back with congrats on your richly-deserved win in the contest. Holiday Happiness to you and yours! :) gw Gregory Richard Barden January 7, 2019 at 10:37 PM Thank you so much, My Good Friend! :-)

Carolyn Devonshire December 25, 2018 at 11:26 AM Stopping back with congratulations on your first-place win, Gregory. Just look at all the great wins you've been having lately. It's a privilege to be able to read your poetry. Merry Christmas, Carolyn Gregory Richard Barden January 7, 2019 at 10:36 PM And it's a privilege to receive your kind and gracious comments, Carolyn, I am thankful for your friendship and encouragement, (and I think we share many of the same perspectives and joys in life). Blessings, my friend! :-) <3

Edward Ibeh December 25, 2018 at 11:19 AM Thank you for participating in my contest, Gregory!:-) This is such a great poem. Congratulations on your top win, and Merry Christmas to you! Gregory Richard Barden January 7, 2019 at 10:35 PM I am so honored and humbled, Edward, and thankful to have placed so highly! Forgive me for just now getting to my thank-you's, the holidays have been crazy. Blessings, my friend! :-)

Gershon Wolf December 24, 2018 at 9:47 PM I, like Faraz, am rendered (nearly) speechless by the depth of this poem. I'd like to add only that while each stanza is devastating in its implications, not one of them is out of the realm of the possible---which makes the entirety even greater than the sum of its parts. Magnifique, monsieur! Best wishes, Gershon Gregory Richard Barden January 7, 2019 at 10:34 PM Gershon, my friend, what a wonderfully heartfelt comment ... I so greatly appreciate your words, because you weave them so amazingly well, and present comments that are poetry in themselves. You have always been kind and encouraging to me, and it means a great deal, my friend. Thank you and blessings! :-)

Faraz Ajmal December 22, 2018 at 1:40 PM Believe me my friend that you have left me speechless, I always try to comment to the best of my ability, but for this poem, I don't have the vocabulary to explain the beauty of it, it is simply wonderful, a pleasure to read and certainly a favorite for me, well Christmas is soon so I wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year, good luck and best of luck in the competition Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 5:29 PM Oh, this is such a wonderfully kind and thoughtful comment, Faraz - poetry in itself - and I'm very happy that you liked this one, as it is special to me. Blessings and thanks to you, My Friend! :-) <3

Nette Onclaud December 21, 2018 at 3:24 PM through thick or thin...a precious work with thought-provoking queries, gregory... very fine!..huggs Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 5:27 PM Many kind thanks to you, Nette, I'm glad you enjoyed my poem, my friend! :-) <3

Carolyn Devonshire December 21, 2018 at 8:12 AM If she is true, she would still love you regardless of the challenges you describe, Greg. Beautifully penned! Best wishes in the contest. (Haven't posted mine yet, but probably should soon.) Have a great Christmas! Best wishes, Carolyn Gregory Richard Barden December 22, 2018 at 5:26 PM Thank you so much, Carolyn, I'm so pleased you liked it! Best wishes to you as well, my friend! :-) <3