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Home » Poems & Poetry » Blogs » Shadow Man (For Dad)

Shadow Man (For Dad) - 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!

Shadow Man (For Dad)

Blog Posted:9/18/2020 7:39:00 AM

* My Dad would be 94 today ... this is the first birthday we've had without him, and this poem was written in his honor - I'm sure many of you can relate. That void left by passing NEVER fills ... the wounds never heal.

He wanted little to do with me for most of my life, and I could never earn his pride or approval, but over his last few years I came to understand his sacrifice, and appreciate how hard he worked all that time to provide for us, and give us things many others didn't have.

I still would have traded it all for a single hug or closeness, but he was not given those tools. We eventually learned to say "I love you" in his last days, and that was precious, despite the dementia. I was also blessed to be the one with him when he died, holding his hand for the first time.

I love you and miss you, Dad. *

 

SHADOW MAN

There stood upon a trodden sod
A knight-in-armor, steed and rod
Devoted, whole, to queen and god
Cold, rusting in the shadows
The darker, keening shadows

Oh statues built for men who find
Far weaker hearts of grit and mind
Than men like this, the rarest kind
Oft' swallowed by the shadows
Self-righteous, hasty shadows

Oh my mistakes were dearly bought
For trials and truces, plainly taught
Paid for excuses, veiled and wrought
And swallowed by the shadows
Those doubting, dusty shadows

Oh pedestals, bright, stand erect
The plaques and badges of respect
All kept to shine thru time's neglect
So swallowed by the shadows
The misty, trembling shadows

I held this man far o'er the rest
Tho' medals never graced his chest
And through intent, took second best
His work amidst the shadows
The humble, hidden shadows

From birth to here I ached inside
To earn the blossom of his pride
Yet now those wilted petals hide
To seed, deep in the shadows
The blistered, barren shadows

Oh life and love bear such a cost
I wander, now, thru threshes, lost
Paths and pities, burnt and tossed
All swallowed by the shadows
The horrid ... gasping shadows.

 

Copyright © Gregory R Barden, December 8, 2019



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Ibeh Avatar
Edward
Ibeh
Date: 10/6/2020 2:04:00 PM
Such a touching, beautiful tribute to your wonderful dad, Greg. Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed it immensely. Once again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Blessings, my friend.
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Toney Avatar
Mark
Toney
Date: 9/20/2020 12:32:00 PM
Greg, thank you for sharing your heart with us. The words of your poem resonate with me since my father and I had a similar relationship as did you and your father, as well as the similarities of helping to take care of him through a long-term disability. Decades ago during a Bread concert, just before they played “Everything I Own” David Gates told the crowd that he wrote it for his father after his father’s death. The lyrics of that song have also resonated with me ever since then, especially “Nobody else could ever know ~ The part of me that can't let go...” Take care and stay safe. ~Mark
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/21/2020 12:16:00 PM
This is very kind of you, Mark, and I'm sorry you had a similar distance from your father that I did ... it still brings pain, and I have so many questions still that will remain unanswered. That said, we did love our dads and it was more common then, I think. That's a great song - I'll have to give a fresh listen. Blessings, My Friend! :-)
La France Avatar
Constance
La France
Date: 9/19/2020 7:21:00 AM
Greg, a beautiful tribute to your dad, I feel the love in every word and the tears _Constance
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/21/2020 12:14:00 PM
Thank you so much, Constance, that means a lot to me. Blessings! <3
Roper Avatar
Eve
Roper
Date: 9/18/2020 10:06:00 AM
You lived a life with a man that you love dear. Blessings to you and on his birthday. Great tribute to him.
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/19/2020 1:58:00 AM
Many kind and heartfelt thanks to you, Eve, that's so sweet of you to say. Blessings, Dear Poet. <3
Mcgee Avatar
Jeanne
Mcgee
Date: 9/18/2020 9:47:00 AM
Such a moving tribute, Greg. The shadows behind our relationship with a parent are hard to get through, yet we must try if we want a relationship at all...I made peace with my dad in my 30's and enjoyed his company more after that. He would be 98 this December. I love how you wrote this. xoxox
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/19/2020 1:57:00 AM
Thank you so very much, Jeanne, you are so right about that, I completely agree. I made a sort of peace with Dad, though I will always have questions that can never be answered ... still, I loved him dearly. Blessings, Friend. <3
Dietrich Avatar
Andrea
Dietrich
Date: 9/18/2020 8:04:00 AM
Excellent verse and tribute to your dad, Greg. I wish I could have such strong feelings for my own dad who passed away last year. Last June 30 was his birthday that he would have seen his 88th year. I never knew my dad and he was mentally ill, but I think he did enjoy many good years once he got on medicine. I just look forward to the time I can see him in the next life and see him as he really is, the man my mother married before his disease came out. It's strange how I can't really grieve for a person I was not too close to as you were to your father. I know he was very much in your life. That is what makes it so hard for you. He is up there waiting to see you again.
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Barden Avatar
Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 9/19/2020 1:55:00 AM
Thank you so much, Buddy - my relationship with him was not a good one - we were never close, and taking care of him through his dementia was so hard, but I am blessed to have called this man my father, and honored to be his son, for he was of a character that few men ever achieve. Still, I wish I'd been his friend. Blessings to you - I'm sorry you were distant from your dad also. Much love and respect, my friend. <3

My Past Blog Posts

 
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Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry