Home » Poems » Blogs » My Contests

Gregory Richard Barden

(Click for Poet Info...)

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!

Home
Previous Blogs
Photos

Gregory Richard Barden Poems

My Contests

Blog Posted by Gregory Richard Barden: 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

Post Comments

Please Login to post a comment

Hilo
Poet

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

CayCay
Jennings

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 ..

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/4/2020 12:28:00 PM

I think that is what she is doing. meow meow.

Tania
Kitchin

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!

Andrea Dietrich
Date: 3/3/2020 7:02:00 PM

Typo on end... AS I do

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!

Eve
Roper

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

Brian
Strand

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.

Brian
Strand

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 .

Line
Gauthier

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

Craig Cornish
Date: 3/2/2020 8:22:00 AM

LOL 8-)

Juliet
Ligon

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.

Charles
Messina

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!

Andrea
Dietrich

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.

Edward
Ibeh

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'!:-)

Craig
Cornish

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.

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.

Jan
Allison

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

Previous Blogs


'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 Contests

Post Comments

Previous Blogs

My Photos

Member Area

Soup Social

Member Poems

Member Poets

Famous Poems

Famous Poets

Poetry Resources