Get Your Premium Membership
Member Area
Soup Social
Member Poems
Member Poets
Famous Poems
Famous Poets
Poetry Resources
Home » Poems & Poetry » Blogs » Shadow Man (For Dad)

Shadow Man (For Dad) - Gregory Richard Barden's Blog

About Gregory Richard Barden
(Show Details...)
Bloggers Photo

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



Please Login to post a comment
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.
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
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.
Login to Reply
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
Login to Reply
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.
Login to Reply
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

 
'MELANCHOLY MOON' Now Available!
Date Posted: 8/22/2024 6:35:00 AM
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

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
A Midsummer Night's Beach Free versebeauty,color,creation,sea
Highveld Storm Rhymebreak up,longing,
Never Shame a Woman Quatrainpassion,women,
Zest May Our Love Say Dizaindesire,devotion,love,roma
Love of Nature Coupletnature,
Violin Free verselonely,muse,romance,roman
Aurora At Dawn Rhymebeauty,inspirational,morn
Surely, I Shall Prosebirth,death,
The World Around Us Rhymeearth,environment,war,
A Prince For Roseanne Rhymefantasy,
Cry For Wind Quatrainanalogy,animal,beautiful,
Picture Perfect Rhymeamerica,corruption,deep,p
It Don'T Really Matter Rhymefun,humor,love,
Gutter Pavement Runway Flight Free verseaddiction,appreciation,da
The Ride Iambic Pentameterimagination,memory,sad,
A Candid Rainscape Free verseflower,imagery,nature,rai
Behind Closed Doors - Emotive Write Rhymeabuse,bullying,house,lone
The Potter and the Clay Narrativechange,character,conflict
As I Journey East Free versebeauty,journey,
Broken Soldiers Rhymeage,humanity,soldier,
White Rainbows Imagismcolor,garden,imagery,
When Her Roses Bloom Romanticismlost love,rose,
Amethyst Fate Ottava rimaflower,imagery,metaphor,
Time Lost In the Current Verseemotions,fear,ocean,
Love Lies Bleeding Rispettoflower,metaphor,
Lost Childhood -Part 4- Rhymeabuse,child,child abuse,c
Worlds of Ice Free versedream,love,memory,sleep,w
Pondering Castle Ruins At Dusk Free versebeauty,betrayal,
Lake's Music Free versepeace,river,song,
Freedom Is Written In Stars and Moon Free verseabuse,change,dark,freedom
As the Year Matures Monorhymejune,
Yet Not Broken By the Blues Free verseanti bullying,holocaust,m
May Showers Contest Haikunature,rain,
Still I Run Villanelleautumn,death,truth,
Skipping a Stone Quatorzainimagery,nature,
Diamonds From the Sky Blank versebeautiful,beauty,desire,e
Autumn Royal Rhyme Royalautumn,sad,
When I No Longer Love You Romanticismlove,romance,
Corridors of Uncertainty Chokaintrospection,
Under the Stars Romanticismautumn,love,poetry,romanc
Nestled Under Your Wings Free verseimagery,inspirational,upl
Touch - the healing Acrosticspiritual,
Starshine and Silhouettes Rhymebeauty,dance,desire,image
Late Summer Nights Dream At the Cat In the Hat Coupletimagination,nonsense,
His Evening's Mystery Lyriclove,mystery,
I Dance Prose Poetryabuse,dance,music,pain,
Realization Sonnetlife,
Hollow Man Rhymehappiness,introspection,i
From Sunset To Sunrise Rhymelove,
Love Will Come To You Lyricintrospection,longing,lov
From Glory To Dust-2 Acrosticangst,confusion,corruptio
Dance of the Firebird Free versebeautiful,dance,sensual,
Hoping That It Might Be You Lyricfriendship love,hope,long
My Solitary Wandering Free versememory,solitude,
Despicable Free verseabuse,evil,girl,
The Dark Side of Canada Free versehow i feel,
When the Sun Drowns In the Sea Rhymelost love,
I Am Every Woman Biobeauty,deep,emotions,enco
Midnight Romance Sonnetdesire,dream,imagery,long
Miss Allegheny Mountain Monorhymeimagery,mountains,nature,
Poetry Rhymeart,meaningful,poetry,poe
Shadow Free verselost love,
Ulan At Sinag Ng Araw: Pagmumuni Ng Isang Tulirong Isip Free verseangst,feelings,introspect
A Peaceful I Love You Iambic Pentameterbeauty,i love you,nature,
You Foolishly Once Thought You Had It Bad: a Collaboration Rhymedream,fear,
Rainless Clouds Pantoumblue,sad,
As Cold Sudden Rain Haikulove,nature,
46 Free versebereavement,brother,love,
A Daydreamer's Love Rhymelove,passion,
A Tear-Ful Conversation With My Daughter Free versei love you,i miss you,mot
Nothing Lasts Forever Rhymefire,home,
In Hindsight Rhymeage,love,
Absinthe Leaves Ekphrasisautumn,imagery,sky,tree,
Landscape - Beach Scene Quatrainart,
A Gift of Love Sonnetlove,mother,
You Echo, Silent Still Free verselost love,
Summer Love Sonnet Sonnetappreciation,nature,summe
Dream Analysis - There Is a Brighter Side 3 Rhymedog,dream,
Penny Hearts Rhymefirst love,valentines day
In Midst of Life - Fragility of Dreams Quatrainassonance,death,
I See You Says the Moon Free versemoon,sea,suicide,
Groundhog Day Sonnetnature,winter,
A World of Boundless Black Sonnetemotions,
Aspiration Free versehope,
Crystal Blue Waters Rhymenature,
In the Dead of Night Free verseflower,romantic,sensual,s
Fated Hell Monorhymedeath,destiny,evil,
A Chorus Sang Its Last Concerto Elegybeach,emotions,
O, the Murmuring Waves Versespiritual,
Valentine's Day Proposal Rhymemarriage,proposal,romance
Rain Harp Quatrainblessing,imagery,miracle,
What Poetry Is Free verseimagery,poetry,words,
Mawu Amongst Stars Sonnetbeauty,magic,memory,
On the Muzzle of the Cat- In My Bed Lying, Quatraincat,
A Lullaby Rhymeloneliness,lost love,natu
Insomnia Rhymeanxiety,imagery,lonelines
Empty Room On a Summer's Day Rispettonostalgia,summer,sunshine
Falling From the Heights Sonnetdeath,
The Astonishing Serenity of Eventide Rhymebeauty,nature,
Dust Mights Free versedark,time,

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