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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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Many Thanks, Brian Strand

Blog Posted by Gregory Richard Barden: 6/17/2020 2:55:00 AM

The Most Famous Thank You Quotes and Sayings

Brian -

A public note to thank you for all you've done on, and FOR, Poetry Soup ...

Your contests have been a standard part of this site since I started writing poetry and joined in December of 2016, and they will be missed, as will your blogs ...

They have been a challenge, a reward, and sometimes a disappointment, but that is the way of life, and the way we learn and GROW, and I so appreciate the part you have played in my growth as a poet ...

I am glad to hear that you are NOT leaving and will still be contributing your poetry and friendship here, but "Brian" has been the most common word on the contest results and blogs for a long time, and a hole will be left ...

Not everyone realizes how much WORK and effort goes into all you've done, but it is extraordinary, and I needed you to know that it has not been taken for granted, nor has the encouragement and friendship you have shown me personally ...

Best wishes and blessings to you always, My Friend - success in all you do, and thank you for helping ME be a petter writer - it has meant a great deal.

All The Best -

- the bard

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Brian
Strand

Date: 6/26/2020 6:23:00 PM

GREG WHY I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT MY CONTESTS was purely to read what poets had been inspired by their muse to write.As a poetic idealist I will be giving this another try

Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 6/26/2020 10:17:00 PM

No worries, Brian ... I will probably be leaving soon, so the tribute and goodbye is just as pertinent for me. I thank you for helping me to grow as a writer, and wish you all the best. - the bard

Eve
Roper

Date: 6/20/2020 10:19:00 AM

Thank you, Greg, he does deserve the tribute. Brian your hard work in running all those contest has helped me out as well. I know that they are not easy. You have been one of my most encouragement to work a little harder in my work. Hugs Eve

Brian Strand
Date: 6/20/2020 10:28:00 AM

Eve,you lkike so many here,have helped make it so worthwhile.Thanks .Stay creative

Brian
Strand

Date: 6/20/2020 3:28:00 AM

Already,a new window has opened Greg,( see my comments on Line's kind blog tribute)Instead of my appreciations being reflected in my contest placings they will become more individual so watch this space ...

Wendy
Watson

Date: 6/19/2020 4:33:00 PM

Yes, thank you for your tremendous dedication and speed of turnaround for each new contest, Brian. A poem should touch the reader and you always kept this criteria in mind when judging. Enjoy your well-deserved break. Best wishes - Wendy

Brian Strand
Date: 6/20/2020 3:04:00 AM

Bless you Wendy for this observation.Cheers.

John
Watt

Date: 6/18/2020 11:20:00 PM

Thank you, Greg, for this blog of acknowledgement and the kind words you wrote to Brian. Much appreciated (I left a comment for Brian at Line's blog) ~ John

Anthony
Biaanco

Date: 6/18/2020 2:59:00 PM

Yes, I also give a giant hand to Mr. Strand. A hall of fame member of the soup.. Always Quality work- encouraging-filled with interesting poetry related information and never a sour word even to the jerks.. Thanks for the memories Brian anthony

Brian Strand
Date: 6/18/2020 3:19:00 PM

Yes Anthony,such things stay with us.Stay creative.

Mark
Toney

Date: 6/18/2020 1:45:00 PM

Greg, it was very thoughtful of you and Line to post `many thanks' to poetry's ambassador to Poetry Soup, Brian Strand. Cheers, Brian!

Brian Strand
Date: 6/18/2020 3:18:00 PM

Yes Cheers, indeed Mark,for that compliment

Sandra
Adams

Date: 6/18/2020 1:31:00 PM

Thank you Brian... your contests were always a huge part of my years at soup as well..i know from judging poetry on an old aol poetry corner for 9 years myself that you spent much time reading many poems daily...I missed your contests when you took a break here and there so I will surely miss them again! Thank you for the honor of wins on my poems and for taking the time to host and judge so many contests!!! hugs and blessings Sandy

Brian Strand
Date: 6/18/2020 3:16:00 PM

Thank you Sandy,for your kind comments.Stay creative

Constance
La France

Date: 6/18/2020 12:38:00 PM

Thanks Brian for all my wins over the years in your contests- Constance

Brian Strand
Date: 6/18/2020 1:19:00 PM

Stay creative Constance.

Vijay
Pandit

Date: 6/18/2020 6:57:00 AM

Thank you Brian for the unbiased judging--and the hard work that took to read so many poems day by day. You are among the very best!! Thank you Greg for this blog, honoring Brian.

Brian Strand
Date: 6/18/2020 7:14:00 AM

Cheers Vijay for these kind words,Stay creative.

Brian
Strand

Date: 6/18/2020 3:04:00 AM

Perhaps Greg I could take a liberty to use your blog asa short postscript to my decision...Of course my 'aim'as an enthusiastic poetry idealist is to promote our artform when and wherever I can.My inclination has always been for inference rather than explanation coupled with that surprising choice of phrase,the creation of as is moments upon the page,and a succinctness whereby poetry surpasses prose (especially when read aloud)and ...like every good apostle to spread this good news far and wide..using 'barnabas' style opportunities as the means to convey this particular self-indulgent agenda.

Andrea
Dietrich

Date: 6/17/2020 7:04:00 PM

It was sweet of you to honor Brian with a blog, Greg. It was very nice to have my old poems resurrected and sometimes read again by new members. Thanks for that opportunity, Brian. I hope you enjoy your break. I don't know the details, but I bet we will see you doing contests again! Thanks for the many poets you showcased through the years.

Brian Strand
Date: 6/18/2020 12:50:00 AM

Andrea one of my reasons for stopping this particular 'diversion' of mine was that too many entries were duplicates of entries to other 'current ' contests on the list and ' past contest ' podium placing poetry.I guess this latter was heavily influenced by the impact of the 'top 100' listings,which as my comment to Aditi below,was not really my purpose with my contests.Hence best to stop now rather than continue to contribute to such ego tripping

Brian Strand
Date: 6/18/2020 12:21:00 AM

Cheers Andrea,for your support to my contests.Everything has its season.time now for something different.

Tom
Cunningham

Date: 6/17/2020 4:35:00 PM

Thank you Brian for hosting Contests over the years, I think everyone appreciates the fact that you have given so much of your precious time in hosting them. You will certainly leave a void that will be hard to fill Best wishes to you. Tom

Brian Strand
Date: 6/17/2020 4:42:00 PM

It has been my pleasure Tom,I shall miss it but something else will fill the gap ,I'm sure as another window opens.Cheers

Brian Strand
Date: 6/17/2020 4:39:00 PM

Kind words indeed Edward ,which in themselves are music to my ears,as they are evidence the my main purpose here( apart from my own development ) for many years with my blogs and contests has been for folk to seek those poetic stretch goals.Stay creative ,come what may Cheers

Edward
Ibeh

Date: 6/17/2020 2:47:00 PM

Sad to see you take your final bow, Mr. Strand. It's obvious you have no patience for anything less than straight-up fine poetry! Tough yet very fair, that's what I love most about you as a contest sponsor, Brian. That's why I keep entering your contests win or lose. I love that you always give poets a better chance at tasting glory. I can't tell you how many poems I've entered for your contest I didn't think anything special at first, only to treasure them AFTER they placed! If a poem places in your contest, even as an honorable mention, that poem is solid, period. Thanks for helping me grow as a poet over the years. You will be missed as a judge!

Brian Strand
Date: 6/17/2020 4:40:00 PM

Brian
Strand

Date: 6/17/2020 11:30:00 AM

Greg if I helped you and others in the way you mention then all the effort to turn the contests around promptly was my greatest reward .My sole purpose of 'running 'these for so long was to encourage (in a small way) PS poets to think ' outside the traditional box' Cheers Greg.

Aditi
Mishra

Date: 6/17/2020 9:13:00 AM

I second your thoughts though I've been a part of these contests for the past month only since I joined Poetry Soup but I am sure sponsoring, reading and judging poems everyday takes a lot of efforts and we have surely learnt from them :)

Brian Strand
Date: 6/18/2020 12:35:00 AM

Thanks Aditi,my purpose,for my contests ,at least,was more to encourage and also to discover the poetic themes that prompted poets to explore their gifting.Cheers.

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Many Thanks, Brian Strand

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