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My Contests - 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!


My Contests

Blog Posted:3/1/2020 7:06:00 PM

Image result for no hate

 

PLEASE NOTE:

If you don't care for my placements ...

If you expect me to NOT judge blind ...

If you expect nepotism because you are a friend of mine, (which would require the previous) ...

If you expect me to place someone lower because you are a friend of mine and they are NOT ...

If you expect the above because you've had "issues" with someone ...

If you think I don't know good poetry or am not fair ...

If your feelings get hurt because I don't place you where you'd LIKE to be placed ...

If you just plain do not like me or my sponsorship in ANY way ...

Then PLEASE do NOT enter my contests!

I am really quite weary from all the negativity we've had here of late, but even MORE so the negative Soup Mails I get because I strive to be fair with my contests, and place poems SOLELY on their quality and how they affect me, (I know that's contrary to many, but I will not be lowering my standards simply because it's common practice). Thank you so much for understanding, Dear Poets ... I pray we can get beyond it all, cuz this place really DOES have potential. Blessings, All. <3

 

 - the bard

 



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Date: 3/2/2020 4:04:00 PM
It saddens me to learn of this sort, as I received much polite soup mail, with one being polite as to my reasons of theirs not being placed. Though I am a recipient of three direct targets of their ire, only one haunts me knowingly and its personality is manifested for all to see. Such brazen ego attacks even to the mildest of my right to post, they are not spared its inhumane lashing, further victimizing neath the guise of pretense as to a true contest should be, favoring tradition in lieu of modern. Are our post been screened? Btw, I saw your contest list is up--CONGRATS!--to all winners, and with my grain of salt, I move on, Blessings my friend Greg, win or lose, --FRIENDS! -- Aloha!~@wk
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Date: 3/2/2020 3:55:00 PM
I have long been aware of the issues tainting contests and equally aware it's (to me) an acceptance issue. Keep being the you that best fits you and leave the rest alone. Be who you are as a sponsor and all else because only you must live every moment with your actions, views, etc. To thy self be true in all things, right? Contests break down to people and everyone of those people has a personality and feelings that are theirs to carry, you must likewise carry yours so meet your own 'carry-able' criteria when sponsoring. As long as contests come down to individuals as writers and sponsors there's no way all on Soup will be content. We're people and people always act like people ..
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/4/2020 12:28:00 PM
I think that is what she is doing. meow meow.
Date: 3/2/2020 4:40:00 AM
Well said Greg. I too have experienced back lash from judging contests. They have been more subtle by PS members leaving comments that a person's poem should have placed higher or placed period. It does cast a negative feeling again on PS. I think that PS members should be happy that there are some of us who like to run contests and it adds both fun and challenges to PS. I think that if people are emailing you about wanting a placement dishonestly they should be reported. Thank you for sponsoring your contests!
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Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/3/2020 7:02:00 PM
Typo on end... AS I do
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/3/2020 7:00:00 PM
Tania. Once in while I will tell someone that if I were judge I'd have placed a certain poem higher. It's my way of telling that person how much I liked their poem. I would never put a negative comment to wins I dislike. For me, that would be going too far. I have seen people do this to lower placing entries In my own contests. Though I do not agree, i just think. " to each his own" & dont let it bother me. You are a judge I see as fair. Who often thinks ss I do!
Date: 3/2/2020 1:48:00 AM
Sorry Greg, I've never been harassed either, I have been questioned as to why a poem didn't place. Everyone that has contacted me have always been polite. Hugs Eve
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Date: 3/2/2020 1:07:00 AM
(2) contd I try to turn around my contest so that disaapointment dissipates quickly by providing another opportunity to showcase in 'my gallery'.In 95% of entries to my contests there is always some poetic merit,hence my prolific use of HMs, as my desire is to encourage(as I once was myself here at PS)and showcase poetry that perhaps as been missed.Greg my contest sponsor credo here being subjective is therefore 'never complain or explain' It has stood me in good stead for 690 contests.
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Date: 3/2/2020 1:06:00 AM
(1)Here is my approach Greg (for my choices ,)they depend on my mood,as I enter the poetic gallery,'does the poem instantly appeal there and then at that 'arrested moment'( as Pollock put it).I am an imagist at heart,so 'show,dont tell'is always my credo.( whether short or long). I like wit,enigma and humour,sport,art,history,but not politics or 'pc' in poetry .
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Date: 3/1/2020 11:14:00 PM
Ouch. I'd like to think that everyone judges blindly and gives credit where credit is due. Then again, I'd also like to believe that we're one big happy family and everyone encourages each other and gets along. Line xx
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Cornish Avatar
Craig Cornish
Date: 3/2/2020 8:22:00 AM
LOL 8-)
Date: 3/1/2020 10:57:00 PM
Nice post. It's all about the challenge of creative writing and people need to respect the judges' decisions even if they disagree.
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Date: 3/1/2020 10:20:00 PM
Sorry to hear that has happened to you, Greg. I agree with you 100% on your statements. Most of the poets here are as genuine as you and understand this blog. Unfortunately, some things will never change. Let's not sweat the little things...life is too short to worry about insults or negative comments from some idiots that stir the pot. Blessings my friend. Keep up the great writing!
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Date: 3/1/2020 9:32:00 PM
Sorry that happened to you, Greg. I'm like Edward here. Usually, if I ever got a Soupmail about my judging, it would be someone wondering why they did not place, and I am ready to explain to them why because i have a process of judging. And like Craig says, many serious life events pale in comparison to a contest placement.
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Date: 3/1/2020 8:46:00 PM
I can't believe you get negative soupmails, Greg. I've gotten polite ones from a few people simply wondering why they didn't place, but never negative ones. Don't sweat the trolls, my poet brother, block em'!:-)
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Date: 3/1/2020 8:13:00 PM
Sorry Greg, I've never been harassed either, I have been questioned as to why but that's okay, there's a difference and I'm happy to answer a question about their poem but not questions about others. Too much time and consideration is spent making the choice and angst to be honest, yet if someone wants to know for their reference or for future what I'm looking for I'm happy to tell them. Besides, yes, egos are struck by anything negative but someone close to me/my family is dying of cancer, your Dad just passed away....I think many priorities in life make placement in a poetry contest pale in significance.
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Messina Avatar
Charles Messina
Date: 3/1/2020 10:14:00 PM
Well said, Craig. I am so very sorry about the person who is close to you and your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Date: 3/1/2020 7:25:00 PM
It is down to your personal opinion of a poem so never change the way you judge the contests Greg, I'm sorry you have had issues after you have gone to the trouble of putting up the contests to inspire people to write:-) To be honest I enter fewer and fewer contests these days. Hope your current contest is a success:-) hugs jan xx
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My Past Blog Posts

 
'MELANCHOLY MOON' Now Available!
Date Posted: 8/22/2024 6:35:00 AM
FOR CONNIE
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sea of trees
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To War, From Youth
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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

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
5/25/2025 Gorham Rhymeanalogy,history,home,memo
5/25/2025 burial borne Rubaiyatanalogy,death,fantasy,sci
5/25/2025 spiritus ignis - for California Rhymeanalogy,fire,tribute,
5/25/2025 quenched Free verseanalogy,passion,romantic,
5/25/2025 chateau Free verseanalogy,lost love,memory,
5/25/2025 ghost again Rhymeanalogy,poetry,writing,
5/25/2025 a quiet carol Free verseanalogy,christmas,
5/25/2025 sacchariferous Free verseallusion,analogy,candy,im
5/25/2025 reprisal Free verseanalogy,wisdom,
5/25/2025 then Free verseanalogy,introspection,met
5/5/2025 frost-byed Free verseanalogy,break up,goodbye,
5/5/2025 travel light Epicanalogy,child,war,
5/5/2025 the good fight Rhymeanalogy,death,dedication,
5/5/2025 on the breath of hopes Free verseanalogy,children,love,wis
5/5/2025 let me Free verseanalogy,love,passion,sens
5/5/2025 if but stone Free verseanalogy,heartbreak,histor
5/5/2025 whale words Rhymeanalogy,language,nature,s
5/5/2025 l’eau de la vie Free verseanalogy,introspection,
5/5/2025 words back Rhymeanalogy,metaphor,
5/5/2025 cool, cruel curse Free verseanalogy,fantasy,horror,
4/8/2025 this old coat Quatrainanalogy,clothes,loss,love
11/29/2024 g’night Free verseanalogy,death,loss,mom,mo
11/29/2024 nacre grace Free verseanalogy,metaphor,moon,
11/29/2024 immersed Free verseanalogy,life,senses,
11/29/2024 soucouyant Free verseanalogy,dark,fantasy,horr
11/29/2024 divine Free verseanalogy,love,metaphor,
11/29/2024 I luv u Free verseanalogy,love,
11/29/2024 frozen farewell Sonnetanalogy,break up,love hur
11/29/2024 ode of odes Free verseanalogy,introspection,
11/29/2024 voyeur Free verseanalogy,break up,poverty,
11/29/2024 life story Free verseanalogy,introspection,lif
11/7/2024 nevermore Free verseanalogy,creation,death,hu
11/7/2024 point blank Free verseanalogy,love hurts,metaph
11/7/2024 last moon Free verseanalogy,death,love hurts,
11/7/2024 mon cygne noire Free verseanalogy,dance,dark,passio
11/7/2024 but a shell Free verseanalogy,home,house,
11/7/2024 a crow’s command Rhymeanalogy,history,sea,
11/7/2024 sky scraper Free verseanalogy,history,sea,
11/7/2024 moonflower Free verseanalogy,introspection,
11/7/2024 bankrupt Free verseanalogy,break up,
11/7/2024 angry child Free verseanalogy,candy,child,mothe
8/22/2024 tell her you saw me Epicadventure,analogy,anxiety
8/22/2024 on tranquil lake Rubaiyatanalogy,beautiful,bird,in
8/22/2024 flock of phantoms Free verseage,analogy,lost love,wis
8/22/2024 then Free verseanalogy,lost love,metapho
8/22/2024 rhetorical Free verseanalogy,heartbreak,lost l
8/21/2024 unquenched Free verseadventure,analogy,science
8/21/2024 apathy, delivered - se7en Free verseallusion,analogy,film,hor
8/21/2024 aching sky Rhymeadventure,analogy,fantasy
8/21/2024 summer game Rhymeanalogy,children,insect,w
8/21/2024 a dance with mad molly Personificationanalogy,drug,metaphor,
8/20/2024 what it's worth Free verseanalogy,death,father,fath
8/20/2024 windows Free verseanalogy,introspection,wis
8/20/2024 precious little shadows Free verseanalogy,child,children,de
8/20/2024 legacy Rhymeanalogy,humanity,time,
8/20/2024 but to ask Rhymeanalogy,introspection,lif
8/16/2024 twixt thy wavy lines Free verseanalogy,old,
8/16/2024 world's greatest toy Limerickanalogy,humorous,
8/16/2024 mom Rhymeanalogy,mother,
8/16/2024 call Free verseanalogy,death,mother son,
8/16/2024 dear mama Rhymeanalogy,mother,mother son
8/16/2024 trickle Free verseanalogy,children,
8/16/2024 valhalla weeps Free verseanalogy,fantasy,mythology
8/16/2024 love, to love Free verseanalogy,parents,soulmate,
8/16/2024 ingrained Personificationanalogy,imagery,
8/12/2024 and I’ll recall Rhymeadventure,analogy,science
8/12/2024 u r a superhero Free verseanalogy,appreciation,imag
8/12/2024 sarikha Free verseanalogy,passion,sensual,
8/12/2024 a song for oppy Free verseanalogy,science,
8/12/2024 scribbled Rhymeanalogy,poets,writing,
8/12/2024 skipper Free verseanalogy,break up,
8/12/2024 webs Free verseanimal,emotions,
8/12/2024 ev’ry hour is midnight Free verseanalogy,passion,sensual,
8/12/2024 scientia Free verseabuse,analogy,lost,
8/12/2024 big ticket Free verseanalogy,basketball,
7/2/2024 how Rhymeanalogy,imagery,metaphor,
7/2/2024 wait for Wendy Free verseadventure,analogy,beauty,
7/2/2024 angels in hell Free verseanalogy,angel,heaven,intr
6/30/2024 question, quelled Free verseanalogy,life,wisdom,
6/25/2024 for Darren - repost Free verseanalogy,friendship,poems,
6/24/2024 one last for the boys Free verseage,analogy,death,lonelin
6/24/2024 buffoon Free verseage,analogy,growth,life,o
6/24/2024 desert blossom - Dubai Free verseappreciation,beautiful,be
6/24/2024 deliciously malicious Rhymeanalogy,anger,beauty,pass
6/11/2024 small things Free verseanalogy,child,childhood,
6/11/2024 deferred Free verseanalogy,creation,introspe
6/11/2024 hana Free verseanalogy,friendship love,
6/11/2024 pandemic, positive Free verseanalogy,love,
6/11/2024 snow leopard Free verseanimal,beauty,
5/22/2024 on the breath of hopes Free verseanalogy,child,children,fa
5/22/2024 bon appetit - Free verseanalogy,love,passion,sens
5/11/2024 odic fail - Free verseanalogy,break up,creation
5/11/2024 implement - Free verseanalogy,art,creation,insp
5/11/2024 how paints a poet? - Free verseanalogy,appreciation,beau
5/11/2024 the good fight Rhymeage,analogy,father son,lo
5/5/2024 no poet, am I Rhymebeauty,god,imagery,poetry
5/5/2024 tethers Free verseanalogy,break up,feelings
5/5/2024 codependency Free verseanalogy,dark,life,light,m
5/5/2024 leau de la vie Free verseanalogy,appreciation,wisd
5/5/2024 but a moment - Free verseanalogy,appreciation,beau

My Photos


Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
Highveld Storm Rhymebreak up,longing,
A Midsummer Night's Beach Free versebeauty,color,creation,sea
Zest May Our Love Say Dizaindesire,devotion,love,roma
Never Shame a Woman Quatrainpassion,women,
The World Around Us Rhymeearth,environment,war,
Love of Nature Coupletnature,
The Ride Iambic Pentameterimagination,memory,sad,
Aurora At Dawn Rhymebeauty,inspirational,morn
A Prince For Roseanne Rhymefantasy,
Surely, I Shall Prosebirth,death,
Picture Perfect Rhymeamerica,corruption,deep,p
It Don'T Really Matter Rhymefun,humor,love,
Violin Free verselonely,muse,romance,roman
Cry For Wind Quatrainanalogy,animal,beautiful,
Behind Closed Doors - Emotive Write Rhymeabuse,bullying,house,lone
Broken Soldiers Rhymeage,humanity,soldier,
As I Journey East Free versebeauty,journey,
A Candid Rainscape Free verseflower,imagery,nature,rai
When Her Roses Bloom Romanticismlost love,rose,
Time Lost In the Current Verseemotions,fear,ocean,
White Rainbows Imagismcolor,garden,imagery,
As the Year Matures Monorhymejune,
Amethyst Fate Ottava rimaflower,imagery,metaphor,
Pondering Castle Ruins At Dusk Free versebeauty,betrayal,
Lost Childhood -Part 4- Rhymeabuse,child,child abuse,c
Love Lies Bleeding Rispettoflower,metaphor,
Yet Not Broken By the Blues Free verseanti bullying,holocaust,m
Autumn Royal Rhyme Royalautumn,sad,
Freedom Is Written In Stars and Moon Free verseabuse,change,dark,freedom
Still I Run Villanelleautumn,death,truth,
Gutter Pavement Runway Flight Free verseaddiction,appreciation,da
Late Summer Nights Dream At the Cat In the Hat Coupletimagination,nonsense,
Lake's Music Free versepeace,river,song,
Skipping a Stone Quatorzainimagery,nature,
Diamonds From the Sky Blank versebeautiful,beauty,desire,e
I Dance Prose Poetryabuse,dance,music,pain,
Realization Sonnetlife,
When I No Longer Love You Romanticismlove,romance,
The Potter and the Clay Narrativechange,character,conflict
Love Will Come To You Lyricintrospection,longing,lov
Hoping That It Might Be You Lyricfriendship love,hope,long
Nestled Under Your Wings Free verseimagery,inspirational,upl
Starshine and Silhouettes Rhymebeauty,dance,desire,image
Miss Allegheny Mountain Monorhymeimagery,mountains,nature,
Touch - the healing Acrosticspiritual,
Under the Stars Romanticismautumn,love,poetry,romanc
Hollow Man Rhymehappiness,introspection,i
Corridors of Uncertainty Chokaintrospection,
Midnight Romance Sonnetdesire,dream,imagery,long
Worlds of Ice Free versedream,love,memory,sleep,w
His Evening's Mystery Lyriclove,mystery,
O, the Murmuring Waves Versespiritual,
May Showers Contest Haikunature,rain,
My Solitary Wandering Free versememory,solitude,
As Cold Sudden Rain Haikulove,nature,
Despicable Free verseabuse,evil,girl,
A Peaceful I Love You Iambic Pentameterbeauty,i love you,nature,
From Glory To Dust-2 Acrosticangst,confusion,corruptio
I Am Every Woman Biobeauty,deep,emotions,enco
Shadow Free verselost love,
In Hindsight Rhymeage,love,
Mawu Amongst Stars Sonnetbeauty,magic,memory,
Real Men Wear Pink Rhymecharacter,funny,humor,per
Saturated In Solitude Rhymesolitude,
Poets Rhymeappreciation,encouraging,
Christmas Time Rhymechildhood,christmas,night
Poetry Rhymeart,meaningful,poetry,poe
A World of Boundless Black Sonnetemotions,
Rainless Clouds Pantoumblue,sad,
On the Muzzle of the Cat- In My Bed Lying, Quatraincat,
A Daydreamer's Love Rhymelove,passion,
Landscape - Beach Scene Quatrainart,
Of Wizards and Wands Rhymejourney,
Unsettled Sea Rhymenature,sea,sky,
Dance of the Firebird Free versebeautiful,dance,sensual,
Collateral Damage Dramatic Monologuecharacter,courage,freedom
If It Wasn't For Poetry- Free versepoetry,poets,words,
Ulan At Sinag Ng Araw: Pagmumuni Ng Isang Tulirong Isip Free verseangst,feelings,introspect
When the Sun Drowns In the Sea Rhymelost love,
What Poetry Is Free verseimagery,poetry,words,
Fated Hell Monorhymedeath,destiny,evil,
A Tear-Ful Conversation With My Daughter Free versei love you,i miss you,mot
In the Dead of Night Free verseflower,romantic,sensual,s
You Echo, Silent Still Free verselost love,
A Gift of Love Sonnetlove,mother,
Falling From the Heights Sonnetdeath,
46 Free versebereavement,brother,love,
Insomnia Rhymeanxiety,imagery,lonelines
Laws of Attraction Free verseabuse,addiction,forgivene
The Pearl Free versebeauty,blue,love,moon,nig
Love's Eternal Death Sonnetemotions,lost love,
Sunset Lullaby Rhymebeauty,Lullaby,sunset,
Summer Love Sonnet Sonnetappreciation,nature,summe
A Lullaby Rhymeloneliness,lost love,natu
In Midst of Life - Fragility of Dreams Quatrainassonance,death,
A Chorus Sang Its Last Concerto Elegybeach,emotions,
You Foolishly Once Thought You Had It Bad: a Collaboration Rhymedream,fear,
Empty Room On a Summer's Day Rispettonostalgia,summer,sunshine
Absinthe Leaves Ekphrasisautumn,imagery,sky,tree,
Morning Cues Versebeautiful,

Fav Poets

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

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry