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Strength Thru Adversity - My Last Premiere Contest - Gregory Richard Barden's Blog

About Gregory Richard Barden

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Welcome to my page!

I am a man of many interests - TOO many, I think, lol - and because of that I never gave writing the attention I should have when I was young. I started writing poetry in December of 2016, and joined Poetry Soup at the same time. I am currently working on an R&B/Soul album for a major label, so, as has usually been the case, poetry does not get the time I'd like to give it, (though I plan to change that in the future, and write a book-or-two, a sci-fi novel and an autobiography) ...

I like to incorporate classic styles and phrasing into a modern frame when I write poetry, and try to cover a wide range of genres, but I enjoy the darkly sensual the most, despite its limited audience. I hope you'll give my rather unusual style a chance, read a piece-or-two, and leave a comment, if you'd be so kind. I also hope you'll visit my music web site as well, (at the following address under my moniker "Bahku") - mostly (very) old recordings there, but also a snippet of the first single coming, and more new stuff soon!

www.bahku.com

Thanks for stopping by my page - blessings!

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Strength Thru Adversity - My Last Premiere Contest

Blog Posted:4/3/2019 2:53:00 PM

The "Strength Thru Adversity" Premiere Contest has been finalized, and it was the most difficult contest I've had to judge here at The Soup ... by FAR. There were SO many wonderful writes that I had to cut, and it was excruciating to have to do so. For that reason I will NOT be running any more "Premiere" contests, at least any time in the foreseeable future ...

I just plain do NOT have the stomach for it. I DO believe there is a place for them, and that they tend to lend the site a bit more credibility and integrity as a "serious" poetry site, but I personally go through far too much turmoil within, especially when I have to N/A twenty-plus poems that are worthy of serious placement. I was dreading this one for that reason ...

I sincerely apologize to all those who did not make the final ten in this contest, because honestly, there was only a couple of poems that did not fit the boundaries of the rules, and ALL the rest were so amazing, and so VERY worthy of placement ... poems that represented hard work, emotional times and events, and extraordinary talent and creativity ...

I wish I could start this one all over again as a standard contest, because only then would I be satisfied with the results, and only then would YOU be getting the attention you deserve for your wonderful poems and incredible writes. Life, to me, is about kindness, love and friendship, and hurting others for the sake of "official" rules is not worth the outcome ... not for me personally ...

I hope, in time, you'll forgive me, because this was the largest group of amazing poems that I've ever seen on this site, (my contests or ANY), and almost EVERYONE deserved a prize. Blessings, Dear Poet Brothers and Sisters - I'm sorry that this rather powerful lesson and catharsis of mine was done at the expense of your amazing writing and loving creations. You are all so talented, and such good folks. <3

- The Bard

** Just to be clear, I am NOT saying that I dislike Premiere Contests, nor am I saying there is not a place for them here at Poetry Soup, because I actually feel quite strongly that they are an important part of the site and the community, and I not only enjoy entering them, but I believe they give balance to the contest process and insure a certain amount of integrity. I AM saying that at this time, I PERSONALLY do not feel good about JUDGING them, and the process of cutting thirty wonderful poems from a group of forty ... it is just a personal decision, NOT a statement aginst Premiere Contests. Thanks you! **

Post Comments

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Anthony
Biaanco

Date: 4/6/2019 1:43:00 AM

Hi Greg, I don't feel you have to apologize to anybody. Weather or not people swim in the ocean or splash around in the tide pool is their choice. its all good..as long as the community is participating and interacting it will thrive. People who are overly sensitive and cannot handle a little disappointment , maybe should stay away from contests all together Judging a contest is very subjective and often times comes down to the taste(s) of the person judging the contest.. We all need to just relax and have fun.. this is not a life or death situation. We're all in an adult sanbox..so lets make castles and sand pies and pretend eat! anthony

Laura Leiser
Date: 4/11/2019 12:34:00 AM

Lolz! SOS will liven up any blog convo, for sure!

Anthony Biaanco
Date: 4/6/2019 2:40:00 PM

Vulcan children are so good at "pointing" out spelling errors. Thanks S.O.S

Gregory Richard
Barden

Date: 4/4/2019 6:10:00 PM

John
Lawless

Date: 4/4/2019 1:32:00 PM

...Ah, tis better to have loved and lost.....than to have sat at home writing poetry.......Being a lifetime Boston resident and sports fan I remember the 1950's Red Sox, the original Boston Patriots, and the original SIX....6...NHL TEAMS...but i digress.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/4/2019 6:12:00 PM

I see and hear everything in double these days, John, so it was just status quo for me, lol! ;-)

John Lawless
Date: 4/4/2019 1:32:00 PM

OOPS----

John
Lawless

Date: 4/4/2019 1:32:00 PM

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/4/2019 6:13:00 PM

A fellow Bean Town Boy - bless you, Sir John!! (I, too, remember those teams fondly ... though the Celtics have always been first-and-foremost). :-D

Sandra
Haight

Date: 4/4/2019 10:51:00 AM

I am very much in agreement with Nina, Greg. We all know ahead of time that a premiere contest means ten places only, and those who cannot deal with that, should not enter. I found all your contest themes to be very inspiring and your judging excellent. I myself enjoy entering both formats, even when I do not place in a premiere contest, which I know is more competitive. But, in the end, you should always do what's best for you as a contest sponsor and judge. :)

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/4/2019 6:18:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Sandra, I greatly appreciate your input and viewpoint ... perhaps I just need a break from judging premieres for now, and see what the future holds. Some people have no issues with it, and I guess I just come up a bit short of that ... for now. Blessings! :-) <3

Craig
Cornish

Date: 4/3/2019 9:57:00 PM

Greg, what you feel is legit (not that you need my approval) but unfortunately you are among the few credible poets who can truly "judge" what is artistic writing and separate that fine line between good, better and best. Friends and feelings be damned as I gladly retreat to your post "Struggle cultivates strength" and that means that you don't always win, but more so, that in your losses you become stronger. If you think I take my choices any more lightly than you, you are mistaken, but that being said...I make them and I will never host a contest unless I'm prepared to do so nor will I apologize nor feel the need to except for my shortcomings. It is subjective - live with it & not life or.

Craig Cornish
Date: 4/4/2019 12:35:00 PM

You are a true gentleman Greg

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/3/2019 11:21:00 PM

(2) But there were so many wonderful pieces this time that I felt should have been placed, and it felt wrong not to do so. I can't take back what's said, but I will most assuredly be giving it all some very deep consideration, for it may simply be a self-confidence issue. Thanks so much for your honesty and input, my friend.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/3/2019 11:20:00 PM

I hear you, Craig, and please know that I very much take it to heart, as I respect and value your opinion and your knowledge with respect to poetry ... I still have so much to learn when it comes to writing, and maybe that's part of my hesitancy towards being hard-edged and critical, I don't really know. I imagine, after more growth and reflection on this particular instance, that I may feel differently.

Craig Cornish
Date: 4/3/2019 10:08:00 PM

You're a good guy Greg, one of the best, if not the best among us - to contribute beyond that as a mentor has more responsibilities than you are exhibiting in this blog. Be the leader you can be....that is what should give you pause. Lift up by strength and you'll be more respected for it in the end. You'll note that I don't use the premium format but also note that I make choices---make those tough choices with no apologies

Tania
Kitchin

Date: 4/3/2019 8:24:00 PM

Greg, thanks for your contests and your nice comments about judging the last one. I agree that premiere contests are very difficult to judge, especially when there are so many qualified poems. I did submit a poem to your contest that I wrote years ago, when I first started writing poetry. It was written all from emotions and overcoming a huge experience in my life. I didn't expect to place in your contest because I wrote it when I knew nothing about poetry form, etc. I never wanted to edit though because it is still a very powerful poem for me in it's raw state. Thanks for sponsoring such a great contest! Looking forward to your next one!

Tania Kitchin
Date: 4/4/2019 4:32:00 PM

Craig, that is so true!!

Craig Cornish
Date: 4/4/2019 12:39:00 PM

Funny that you say that about an old writes Tania because as we learn and grow we see how to improve our skills and there are some/many writes that deserve to be improved, yet there are some with way too much emotion attached and must be left as they've always been - screw perfection, there is beauty in their innocence.

Tania Kitchin
Date: 4/4/2019 4:32:00 AM

Thank you Greg!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/3/2019 11:29:00 PM

(2) I may run this same contest again so I can place them all as I feel they SHOULD be. Please, be VERY proud of that poem - it is wonderful and powerful!

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/3/2019 11:29:00 PM

I tracked your poem down, Tania, (Black and Blue), and it honestly was one of those right on the cusp - one of the wonderful pieces that was excruciating to not place ... I loved it, and I can tell it was very difficult and emotional to share, and something that others should see, (and a very important topic). The EXACT reason why I feel strongly about not going this route again.

Rob
Carmack

Date: 4/3/2019 5:20:00 PM

At first, I did not like the idea of the premiere contests, especially since poetry is so subjective. Strict placements are more apt for objective pursuits. However, despite this, I actually like hosting Premiere contests. But The Premiere Only Group (POGs) are still in error if they maintain absolutely that Premiere contest are always superior to Standard contests. I agree with instances in which there are 35 first place winners, however, forcing a limit of 10 can be just as bad. Could have 11 excellent poems, but number 11 is never seen. This is just as bad, if not worse, than camouflaging number 11 among 34 other poems.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/4/2019 4:03:00 PM

about the all first place contests, I agree with you totally, Rob. Though I personally would not do them that way, it is each judge's option to choose that way if he wants. I too think that Soup has struck a good balance with the two types of contests, but of course, the debate on that will never let up!

Rob Carmack
Date: 4/4/2019 11:15:00 AM

Andrea, yes, I don't like the all 1st place contests either, but support the sponsor's right to do so. I think TPS has a good balance with offering Premieres for the POGs while still letting the Participation Trophy Group (PTG)s have their format.

Rob Carmack
Date: 4/4/2019 11:07:00 AM

Tommy, you being one of the leading PS POGs, I like our debates. The sports examples you used are all objective. Poetry is a much different animal, therefore, it is fallacious to try to force an absolute comparison. Not saying a partial comparison is not valid, it is just that the comparison does not make your position absolutely valid. The Saints being robbed of the NFC championship game is like the 11th great poem not being seen since Premieres only allow 10 placements.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/3/2019 6:39:00 PM

Now you folks lost me ... as a Boston sports fan I just can NOT get behind getting rid of the Super Bowl, World Series, or NBA Finals, lol - that's just kwazy! ;-)

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/3/2019 6:38:00 PM

Of course, but Soup is certainly not the Super bowl of poetry. The contests are sometimes run by sponsors who do not even know how to spell the name of the form they are promoting, let alone understand the form they are judging. I teach all day and i just want to come here for a good time! There ARE lots of ways to track down some very worthy contests all over the internet! i am just too lazy to do it, and many of them require cash to enroll! There are too many types of personalities here, SOS. It's like getting liberals to vote with conservatives. I probably lean more to liberal side. Soup made a compromise and that's why I say leave well enough alone.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/3/2019 6:02:00 PM

thanks for that!

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/3/2019 5:47:00 PM

Yes, please, Tommy, let's at least rid the world of Super Bowl and World Series. Won't bother me at all.

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 4/3/2019 5:44:00 PM

Exactly, Rob! My only issue with standard contests is when they give everyone a first placement. If anyone ever looked at my winners from the past, they should be able to realize my top ten was actually my top three. I would do like one first place winner, three or four second place, and four or five third place. The other placements were my way of showing the poems of poets who made an effort but who were not, in my own opinion, as good as my top winners.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 4/3/2019 3:41:00 PM

I totally get you,greg. I did a Premier contest once, and never will I ever again do a Premiere contest. I believe the Standard Contests do not have to be "substandard" if the sponsor puts only the truly best poems at the top of his winner list but puts the majority of the other winners beneath the top three. This web site is not just about contests, it's about relationships and friendships. I have heard many stories of people hurt by contests (and sometimes the complainers have just cause when the judging is obviously bad or biased.) Also, the only fair way to do a contest is when the judges do not have knowledge of whose poems they are judging(and no matter what people say, it's easy to know whose poem you are probably seeing when you know the style of so many of the poets here).Also, the contestants should not have knowledge of who is judging THEM. People who say otherwise probably are those with very thick skin who do not care what others think about them as a judge. Those who care about personal relationships here cannot very comfortably do premier contests. I am a people- person, and Greg,I believe you are , too. Those who are not afraid to cause displeasure in others are the types who can easily judge a Premiere contest. not me, I'm a big fat chicken.

Craig
Cornish

Date: 4/3/2019 3:09:00 PM

All of that is fine but actually goes against the quote you posted. You are correct - "Struggle cultivates strength that cannot be developed any other way" and contests where almost everyone wins diminishes struggle and therefore development. What most contests lack, at least here, is that more difficult road that sets the bar just a little higher. There is no guilt in that.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/3/2019 3:28:00 PM

(2) Call me a softy or a wimp or whatever, but it's not my cup of tea. Blessings, Bro - maybe down the road.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/3/2019 3:28:00 PM

And Craig, I TOTALLY understand that, (which is why I said that I believe there is a place for them), but I personally just don't have the heart for it. I guess some folks are more adaptable (?) or cut out for judging "seriously", and I've found out that I am not one of them. I know how strongly you feel about this and I so respect your perspective, but forgive me, I am too negatively affected by it.

Eve
Roper

Date: 4/3/2019 3:08:00 PM

Greg, but it's for all the same reason that I don't sponsor a Premiere Contest. I will get around to reading the winners work.. Congratulations to all the winners.

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 4/3/2019 3:25:00 PM

Thanks, Eve ... they were ALL winners, that's what stinks. Blessings. <3

My Past Blog Posts


FOR CONNIE Date Posted: 9/17/2022 12:57:00 AM
NINE-ELEVEN (never forget) Date Posted: 9/11/2021 5:30:00 AM
SPINDRIFT Date Posted: 3/4/2021 3:58:00 AM
FOOL OF A POET Date Posted: 2/16/2021 2:36:00 AM
sea of trees Date Posted: 12/7/2020 12:48:00 AM
To War, From Youth Date Posted: 10/17/2020 4:29:00 AM
Shadow Man (For Dad) Date Posted: 9/18/2020 7:39:00 AM
Rithimus Divisa - Copy & Paste Date Posted: 9/9/2020 6:21:00 PM
To Heal A Vacant Heaven Date Posted: 7/25/2020 11:34:00 AM
Thank You, Soupers Date Posted: 6/25/2020 11:49:00 AM
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY! Date Posted: 6/21/2020 8:48:00 AM
Many Thanks, Brian Strand Date Posted: 6/17/2020 2:55:00 AM
TIMELY TENNYSON Date Posted: 4/8/2020 5:24:00 AM
Thinking Of You Date Posted: 3/24/2020 1:54:00 PM
My Contests Date Posted: 3/1/2020 7:06:00 PM
Arbitrium Divisa 7 Results Date Posted: 2/29/2020 7:57:00 PM
Happy Valentines Day! Date Posted: 2/14/2020 10:09:00 PM
Sound Of Sense Date Posted: 2/3/2020 1:47:00 PM
Arbitrium Divisa 5 Finalized Date Posted: 1/14/2020 4:27:00 AM
Cow Poetry Date Posted: 1/12/2020 2:14:00 AM
* MERRY CHRISTMAS * Date Posted: 12/25/2019 2:42:00 AM
Christmas Concert - Video UPDATE Date Posted: 12/11/2019 4:55:00 PM
Christmas Concert - UA Schola Cantorum Date Posted: 12/10/2019 5:45:00 PM
Three Years - Thank You Date Posted: 12/6/2019 7:01:00 PM
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Date Posted: 11/28/2019 6:00:00 AM

My Recent Poems

Date Posted	PoemTitle	Form	Categories
5/5/2024	no poet, am I	Rhyme	beauty,god,imagery,poetry
5/5/2024	tethers	Free verse	analogy,break up,feelings
5/5/2024	codependency	Free verse	analogy,dark,life,light,m
5/5/2024	leau de la vie	Free verse	analogy,appreciation,wisd
5/5/2024	dance, divine	Free verse	age,appreciation,beauty,l
5/5/2024	but a moment	Free verse	analogy,appreciation,beau
4/6/2024	sift, the sands	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
4/6/2024	limbo	Free verse	analogy,loneliness,loss,l
4/6/2024	hideaway	Free verse	analogy,dark,death,desire
4/6/2024	call	Free verse	analogy,love,memory,mom,m
4/6/2024	NYA - North Yarmouth Academy	Rhyme	analogy,high school,memor
4/6/2024	effluvium	Free verse	analogy,break up,feelings
4/6/2024	flock of phantoms	Free verse	analogy,heartbreak,life,l
4/6/2024	footfalls	Free verse	analogy,death,life,
4/6/2024	analogy allergy	Quatrain	analogy,introspection,poe
4/6/2024	denied inside	Rubaiyat	analogy,introspection,
2/13/2024	LQQK	Free verse	analogy,beautiful,beauty,
2/13/2024	bird in the hand	Monorhyme	analogy,guitar,music,
2/4/2024	artistic priority	Dramatic Monologue	analogy,art,beauty,creati
2/4/2024	last turn	Free verse	analogy,art,books,literat
2/4/2024	divinity descending	Free verse	analogy,appreciation,beau
2/4/2024	one size fits all	Free verse	analogy,appreciation,life
2/4/2024	dechue	Free verse	introspection,love hurts,
1/25/2024	moonspeak	Free verse	analogy,kiss,love,metapho
1/25/2024	whale words	Rhyme	adventure,analogy,languag
1/25/2024	becalmed	Free verse	abuse,analogy,murder,ocea
1/25/2024	scoundrel	Rhyme	analogy,humanity,imagery,
1/25/2024	shell	Free verse	analogy,beauty,love,passi
1/25/2024	mightier	Free verse	analogy,creation,perspect
1/25/2024	sight unseen	Free verse	analogy,emotions,introspe
12/30/2023	luna sea	Free verse	analogy,metaphor,moon,rom
12/30/2023	wail hunt	Free verse	analogy,dark,horror,howl,
12/30/2023	worldly	Rhyme	analogy,creation,imagery,
12/30/2023	currency	Free verse	age,analogy,introspection
12/30/2023	strings	Free verse	analogy,science,
12/30/2023	the way	Free verse	analogy,imagery,introspec
12/30/2023	jmaa el-fnaa	Free verse	analogy,city,imagery,trav
12/16/2023	marley’s maxim	Free verse	analogy,christmas,dark,
11/25/2023	a farewell, frozen	Free verse	analogy,break up,farewell
11/25/2023	admit one	Free verse	addiction,analogy,imagery
11/25/2023	all that is between	Free verse	analogy,introspection,wis
11/14/2023	blue-eyed midnight	Free verse	analogy,beauty,dark,fanta
11/8/2023	vaults veneer	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,beau
11/8/2023	my darling boy	Rhyme	age,fate,growing up,growt
11/3/2023	butter from blood	Free verse	analogy,beach,beauty,imag
11/3/2023	Dark Hours	Rhyme	anger,death,society,viole
10/17/2023	Covenant	Free verse	analogy,dark,death,deep,g
10/16/2023	Daybreak	Rhyme	analogy,appreciation,joy,
10/5/2023	But a House	Free verse	age,imagery,introspection
9/22/2023	Her Willow Weeps	Personification	analogy,death,grief,loss,
9/19/2023	Dear Mama	Rhyme	grief,heartbroken,loss,me
9/19/2023	Little Lambs	Free verse	analogy,child,children,gr
9/12/2023	Princess	Free verse	analogy,cat,grief,loss,lo
9/12/2023	Drift	Free verse	best friend,death,grief,l
9/12/2023	Lawless Land	Free verse	analogy,dark,dream,fear,n
9/12/2023	Webs	Free verse	animal,introspection,life
9/12/2023	My Pretty Girl	Rhyme	cat,loss,love,pets,
8/18/2023	Blind Time	Free verse	analogy,introspection,lif
8/18/2023	To Be	Free verse	analogy,introspection,spi
8/16/2023	Driftwood	Free verse	animal,hope,journey,metap
7/30/2023	Mom	Rhyme	appreciation,love,mother,
7/22/2023	Meh, Said God	Free verse	allegory,analogy,creation
7/22/2023	Clavier	Rhyme	analogy,metaphor,music,
7/22/2023	The Call	Free verse	analogy,dark,death,intros
7/9/2023	Fathoms	Rhyme	analogy,death,grief,heart
7/9/2023	Ago	Free verse	analogy,break up,love hur
7/9/2023	Singularity	Free verse	analogy,introspection,lov
6/24/2023	Scribbled	Rhyme	introspection,longing,lov
6/8/2023	Deliciously Malicious	Rhyme	analogy,anger,passion,rom
6/8/2023	Drawn	Free verse	analogy,imagery,lost love
6/5/2023	Berth	Free verse	age,analogy,blessing,deat
6/5/2023	Lopped	Rhyme	betrayal,love hurts,
6/5/2023	Timbre	Free verse	analogy,care,introspectio
6/5/2023	Deserted	Free verse	heartbreak,heartbroken,im
6/5/2023	She Wore a Yellow Jacket	Free verse	dark,death,drug,imagery,m
6/5/2023	Done	Free verse	conflict,pain,sympathy,
6/5/2023	Solo Sail	Rhyme	analogy,introspection,lif
5/4/2023	Retrograde	Free verse	analogy,beauty,love hurts
4/27/2023	Wrap	Free verse	addiction,analogy,dark,su
4/27/2023	Kaput	Rhyme	funny,humor,satire,
4/27/2023	Just Write	Free verse	animal,muse,writing,
4/27/2023	Then	Rhyme	family,memory,nostalgia,
4/27/2023	Yet	Rhyme	analogy,dream,heartbreak,
4/27/2023	Octopus	Rhyme	analogy,body,passion,
3/15/2023	A Small Thing	Rhyme	appreciation,beauty,death
3/14/2023	Doppleganged	Free verse	allusion,analogy,characte
3/14/2023	The New Face of War	Rhyme	angst,holocaust,horror,vi
3/8/2023	Sideways	Free verse	break up,imagery,love hur
3/6/2023	Neglected	Rhyme	age,analogy,appreciation,
3/6/2023	Wig, Out	Rhyme	age,funny,hair,humor,
2/23/2023	Reflects	Free verse	analogy,dream,first love,
2/22/2023	Wake Me, Not	Free verse	analogy,dream,lost love,m
2/14/2023	Away and On	Rhyme	age,life,wisdom,
2/14/2023	Aetas	Free verse	age,life,wisdom,
1/28/2023	The D Word	Rhyme	loss,mental illness,
1/28/2023	Straight On	Rhyme	adventure,analogy,death,f
1/28/2023	Kingdom, Gone	Free verse	child,death,loss,soldier,
1/28/2023	Seasoned	Free verse	analogy,metaphor,seasons,
1/28/2023	Last Duty	Free verse	analogy,fantasy,history,
1/28/2023	Upgrade	Free verse	romance,science fiction,

My Photos

Fav Poems

PoemTitle	Form	Categories
A Midsummer Night's Beach	Free verse	beauty,color,creation,sea
Highveld Storm	Rhyme	break up,longing,
Never Shame a Woman	Quatrain	passion,women,
Zest May Our Love Say	Dizain	desire,devotion,love,roma
Love of Nature	Couplet	nature,
Aurora At Dawn	Rhyme	beauty,inspirational,morn
Surely, I Shall	Prose	birth,death,
The World Around Us	Rhyme	earth,environment,war,
Violin	Free verse	lonely,muse,romance,roman
A Prince For Roseanne	Rhyme	fantasy,
Cry For Wind	Quatrain	analogy,animal,beautiful,
A Candid Rainscape	Free verse	flower,imagery,nature,rai
Picture Perfect	Rhyme	america,corruption,deep,p
The Ride	Iambic Pentameter	imagination,memory,sad,
It Don'T Really Matter	Rhyme	fun,humor,love,
White Rainbows	Imagism	color,garden,imagery,
When Her Roses Bloom	Romanticism	lost love,rose,
As I Journey East	Free verse	beauty,journey,
Amethyst Fate	Ottava rima	flower,imagery,metaphor,
Behind Closed Doors - Emotive Write	Rhyme	abuse,bullying,house,lone
Love Lies Bleeding	Rispetto	flower,metaphor,
Broken Soldiers	Rhyme	age,humanity,soldier,
Gutter Pavement Runway Flight	Free verse	addiction,appreciation,da
Lake's Music	Free verse	peace,river,song,
Time Lost In the Current	Verse	emotions,fear,ocean,
Lost Childhood -Part 4-	Rhyme	abuse,child,child abuse,c
As the Year Matures	Monorhyme	june,
Touch -Sharon's Acrostic Contest	Acrostic	spiritual,
The Potter and the Clay	Narrative	change,character,conflict
Freedom Is Written In Stars and Moon	Free verse	abuse,change,dark,freedom
Autumn Royal	Rhyme Royal	autumn,sad,
When I No Longer Love You	Romanticism	love,romance,
Skipping a Stone	Quatorzain	imagery,nature,
Yet Not Broken By the Blues	Free verse	anti bullying,holocaust,m
Pondering Castle Ruins At Dusk	Free verse	beauty,betrayal,
Nestled Under Your Wings	Free verse	imagery,inspirational,upl
Diamonds From the Sky	Blank verse	beautiful,beauty,desire,e
Under the Stars	Romanticism	autumn,love,poetry,romanc
Corridors of Uncertainty	Choka	introspection,
My Solitary Wandering	Free verse	memory,solitude,
Hoping That It Might Be You	Lyric	friendship love,hope,long
Late Summer Nights Dream At the Cat In the Hat	Couplet	imagination,nonsense,
His Evening's Mystery	Lyric	love,mystery,
Snow Birds Softly Sing	Verse	beautiful,bird,dance,dece
Still I Run	Villanelle	autumn,death,truth,
Worlds of Ice	Free verse	dream,love,memory,sleep,w
Mawu Amongst Stars	Sonnet	beauty,magic,memory,
Starshine and Silhouettes	Rhyme	beauty,dance,desire,image
In Silence	Personification	autumn,death,
Realization	Sonnet	life,
Hollow Man	Rhyme	happiness,introspection,i
From Sunset To Sunrise	Rhyme	love,
May Showers Contest	Haiku	nature,rain,
Dance of the Firebird	Free verse	beautiful,dance,sensual,
I Am Every Woman	Bio	beauty,deep,emotions,enco
Real Men Wear Pink	Rhyme	character,funny,humor,per
Despicable	Free verse	abuse,evil,girl,
From Glory To Dust-2	Acrostic	angst,confusion,corruptio
A Lullaby	Rhyme	loneliness,lost love,natu
Miss Allegheny Mountain	Monorhyme	imagery,mountains,nature,
Poets	Rhyme	appreciation,encouraging,
Fated Hell	Monorhyme	death,destiny,evil,
A Peaceful I Love You	Iambic Pentameter	beauty,i love you,nature,
Rainless Clouds	Pantoum	blue,sad,
In Hindsight	Rhyme	age,love,
Valentine's Day Proposal	Rhyme	marriage,proposal,romance
Midnight Romance	Sonnet	desire,dream,imagery,long
The Dark Side of Canada	Free verse	how i feel,
Laws of Attraction	Free verse	abuse,addiction,forgivene
There'Ll Be No Rain	Sonnet	christmas,weather,winter,
O, the Murmuring Waves	Verse	spiritual,
A World of Boundless Black	Sonnet	emotions,
I Dance	Prose Poetry	abuse,dance,music,pain,
You Echo, Silent Still	Free verse	lost love,
Ulan At Sinag Ng Araw: Pagmumuni Ng Isang Tulirong Isip	Free verse	angst,feelings,introspect
When the Sun Drowns In the Sea	Rhyme	lost love,
Unsettled Sea	Rhyme	nature,sea,sky,
A Chorus Sang Its Last Concerto	Elegy	beach,emotions,
46	Free verse	bereavement,brother,love,
You Foolishly Once Thought You Had It Bad: a Collaboration	Rhyme	dream,fear,
A Tear-Ful Conversation With My Daughter	Free verse	i love you,i miss you,mot
Christmas Time	Rhyme	childhood,christmas,night
I Wanted To	Lyric	father,feelings,forgivene
Love Will Come To You	Lyric	introspection,longing,lov
Summer Love Sonnet	Sonnet	appreciation,nature,summe
Collateral Damage	Dramatic Monologue	character,courage,freedom
Landscape - Beach Scene	Quatrain	art,
Floccinaucinihilipilification and Very Little Bread	Rhyme	appreciation,art,characte
A Daydreamer's Love	Rhyme	love,passion,
Bridging Heaven and Earth	Rhyme	bird,flying,jealousy,
Love's Eternal Death	Sonnet	emotions,lost love,
Poetry	Rhyme	art,meaningful,poetry,poe
To Know She Still Loves Me	Rhyme	love,
To Weep In Misery of Bitter Truth	Free verse	absence,death,lost,memory
Collecting Teardrops	Free verse	friendship,lost,
Goodbye Darling Peter Pan	Rhyme	change,growing up,love,mi
In Midst of Life - Fragility of Dreams	Quatrain	assonance,death,
Empty Room On a Summer's Day	Rispetto	nostalgia,summer,sunshine
Aspiration	Free verse	hope,
A Child-Like Heart	Free verse	heart,inspiration,love,

Fav Poets

Poet	Country
Jannie Breedt	South Africa	Read
Robert Lindley	United States	Read
John Hamilton	Canada	Read
Terry O'Leary	France	Read
Joanna Daniel	India	Read
Kim Rodrigues	United States	Read
Dale Gregory Cozart	United States	Read
Freddie Robinson Jr.	United States	Read
Andrea Dietrich	United States	Read
Line Gauthier	Canada	Read
Connie Marcum Wong	United States	Read
Janis Thompson	United States	Read
Alexis Y.	United States	Read
Jan Allison	Isle Of Man	Read
Brandy Nicole	United States	Read
Laura Leiser	United States	Read
Sandra Haight	United States	Read
Charles Messina	United States	Read
Becca Teagan	United States	Read
P.S. Awtry	United States	Read
Edward Ibeh	United States	Read
Mark Toney	United States	Read
Gregory Richard Barden	United States	Read
Gary Radice	United Kingdom	Read
Sam Kauffman	United States	Read
John Watt	United States	Read
Timothy Ray	United States	Read