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Gregory Richard Barden Biography

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 have a new book "Melancholy Moon" published by Wheelsong Books UK and I'm under contract for two more, the next (much darker) before Christmas. I am also 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 ...

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.grbarden.com

Thanks for stopping by my page - blessings!

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Christmas Concert - Video UPDATE

Blog Posted by Gregory Richard Barden: 12/11/2019 4:55:00 PM

This is the YouTube video of the concert performed last night by Dr Stephen E Caldwell and the University of Arkansas Schola Cantorum - the streaming failed via technical issues last night, so I never got to hear it myself until today.

The piece written around my poem, "Upon The Sand", starts with narration at about 42:45, though I suggest listening to the entire concert, (entitled "A Child's Christmas In Wales", written by Dr Caldwell about his youth) ...

It will put you in the proper mood for the holidays - it is just lovely! I am so honored and blessed by this, my thanks to Dr Caldwell and the Schola Cantorum - Merry Christmas!

Video - A Child's Christmas In Wales

UPON THE SAND

An old man wrote upon the sand,
Sea foam sweeping to the shore,
It's lowest ebb, the tidal bore ...
Coins of sunlight, gold and grand.

His pen, a cane that was a gift,
Long ago when times were good ...
His lovely wife had found the wood
Washed ashore, among the drift.

She carved it in her loving way,
With intricate designs and words,
A heart, initials, and some birds ...
A gift to him one Christmas day.

She was gone now, twenty years,
Then ravaged by a winter's flu ...
Now he was left with naught to do,
But try to mitigate his tears.

So each day to the sea he went,
And etched an ode upon the beach,
His tortured soul revealed in each,
Meant to quell his heart's lament.

But twice a day the tide came in ...
And washed his sonnets off the shore,
To him, a sign she wished for more,
Poems of all that might have been.

The love he'd one day see ... again.

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Line Gauthier

December 17, 2019 at 12:28 AM

I look forward to listening to this, Gregory. Your poem is lovely.

Gregory Richard Barden

December 21, 2019 at 1:44 AM

Thank you so much, Line, I appreciate that! The link is above - my piece starts at about 44:00, (narration intro at 42:45). Blessings! :o) <3

Edward Ibeh

December 14, 2019 at 7:18 PM

I'm so thrilled for you, Greg:-) This must've felt like Christmas come early. You deserved a pick-me-upper after enduring such a devastating, harrowing year! By the way, your poem is exceptional.

Gregory Richard Barden

December 21, 2019 at 1:43 AM

Indeed, it did, Sir Edward - and it came at a very good time ... certainly the most difficult year of my life, yet still, full of blessings and honors! I am grateful for ALL of it, good and bad, for there is not one without the other. Blessings, Brother! :o)

Connie Marcum Wong

December 14, 2019 at 2:21 AM

How wonderful it was to hear this beautiful poem set to music. What a wonderful Christmas gift to you, your family, your loved ones, and to all of us! Congratulations on such a brilliant achievement! I adored the poem. Mele Kalikimaka Greg! : ) xxoo

Gregory Richard Barden

December 21, 2019 at 1:41 AM

Thank you so much, Connie - this was a fun project, and I'm so pleased you enjoyed it, my friend! Blessings! :o) <3

Andrea Dietrich

December 12, 2019 at 3:41 PM

gosh, where is my comment? I had said congrats to you and thought the poem was lovely. weird I do not see my comment here now!

Gregory Richard Barden

December 12, 2019 at 5:28 PM

That was the other blog, Andrea - the link tto the streaming died during performance, so I posted a NEW blog with the YouTube video. Thank you so much, my friend! :o) <3

Craig Cornish

December 12, 2019 at 7:24 AM

Hmmm, I was sure I left a comment before. Greg, this is such an honor for you. Many more to come, I'm sure, for such a talented writer.

Gregory Richard Barden

December 12, 2019 at 5:29 PM

That was the other blog, Andrea - the link to the streaming died during performance, so I posted a NEW blog with the YouTube video. Thank you so very kindly, my friend - it is greatly appreciated! :o)

Mark Toney

December 11, 2019 at 6:47 PM

Congratulations, Greg! What a lovely melody and arrangement for such a heartfelt poem. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing this with us. ~Mark

Gregory Richard Barden

December 12, 2019 at 5:30 PM

Many kind thanks to you, Mark, I'm so leased you enjoyed it, my friend! :o)

Sandra Haight

December 11, 2019 at 6:42 PM

Greg, congratulations on such a wonderful happening- having your poem featured and sung to beautiful music by this outstanding orchestra and choral group. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to it while reading your lovely, but very sad, touching words as they were being sung. Such a fine, well-deserved honor for you! Sandra :)

Gregory Richard Barden

December 12, 2019 at 5:31 PM

Thank you so very much, Sandra, that means a lot to me - blessings and best wishes to you, Dear Poet! :o) <3

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Christmas Concert - Video UPDATE
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Christmas Concert - Video UPDATE

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