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oh, Dear Indulgence ... desolate, obscure, I know you not, (and have known you not), still, do I not know the glint there, in your eye? Aye, it abides me from ages hence ... I was but a boy, bounding through the dew of eventide, I saw that spark in the tail of a firefly, winking at me as you do now, tempting, coy, searching, sensual ... (my child's heart knew) or was it as a young man? Yes, late one night in early Fall ... I sat on a pier, legs dangling over the bay as the pilings groaned with the ebb of the tide, stomach in knots as I contemplated the timing of a first kiss ... I saw that flash in the blink of the coast beacon, its rays refracted into the gossamer fog that clung to the Atlantic swells, just as the mist of your emotion does now, tearing slight in hope and timid expectations ... (my child's heart knew) or was it yet later? I think it MUST have been! A winter's night like any, save for the closest approach of Venus in many years, dressed warm to clear a storm's snowfall from the driveway, when the shimmer of Aphrodite in the sky took my breathing, (already brief from the bite of January air) ... the same exquisite radiance that beckons to me now from your sultry gaze, full of promise and meandering mystery ... (my child's heart knew) or was it still when I was older, in the Caribbean? I had been snorkeling all day on the west coast of St. Croix - just off the beach at Frederiksted - and I had pulled myself up onto the reef for a rest. It was late in the day, and just as the sun's lip dipped below the sea, there was a flash of light, indescribable, brief, but saturated with colors I've never seen before OR since, ('til now). it stopped my heart, and I thought I'd never breathe again, yet that same extraordinary brilliance is here, now, in the very depths of the eyes that hold mine ... (my child's heart knew) aye, that was surely the time, and ALL the others, (and more), for without those sublime, sweet little moments that crushed my heart and will, those moments of joy and beauty and wonder and seduction, I would have missed all the glorious sensations and passions that peer at me now from the diaphanous depths of YOU ... I would have walked on in horrid ignorance, unaware of the extra- ordinary beauty and talent and complexities that you possess, and you would have forever remained unknown, desolate, obscure ... oh, dear and blessed indulgence ... MINE! (my child's heart knew). ~ 1st Place ~ in the "A Poem I Wrote and Sent Drifting" Poetry Contest, Broken Wings, Judge & Sponsor. ~ Honorable Mention ~ in the "Strand No 710, Any Theme, Any Form" Poetry Contest, Brian Strand, Judge & Sponsor.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2017




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Date: 3/29/2020 6:24:00 PM
A journey through life so masterfully expressed in your flowing lines, Gregory. I was pulled in from the start. Love the repeating refrain - reminds me of "a little child shall lead them." Stay young always! Be blessed. Stay well.
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Date: 10/13/2017 7:44:00 AM
Congratulations Greg :) xomo
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/14/2017 4:39:00 AM
Thank you very kindly, Xomo, (hehe) - I greatly appreciate it, my dear friend! ;-) <3
Date: 10/13/2017 6:00:00 AM
Congrats on your well deserved first place Greg--you always write so well!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/14/2017 4:38:00 AM
Thank you so very much, Vijay, I am so grateful for your kind comments! :-)
Date: 10/11/2017 10:40:00 PM
Congratulations, Greg on your win, first position, well deserved.
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/12/2017 12:26:00 PM
Thank you very much, Subimal - much appreciated! :-)
Date: 10/11/2017 8:49:00 PM
Greg, CONGRATULATIONS on your win in my contest with this AWESOME poem!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 10/12/2017 12:25:00 PM
Thank you so much, Constance - I am humbled and honored by the placement in your contest, and so pleased you enjoyed this one! To be on the list with such other wonderful poets - wow! Blessings, friend! :-) <3
Date: 7/5/2017 10:21:00 PM
Very lovely memories interwoven into this beautiful write, a kind of naughtiness in your words, wonderful writing, Greg:)
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/6/2017 3:31:00 AM
Thank you kindly, Jo - I so appreciate that kind comment, and I'm glad you liked it ... this is a special one to me for many reasons. The "little bit of naughty" is a favorite flavor of mine - I believe imagined and inferred sensuality is much more tempting than graphic, AND more creative! Thanks again, my friend. ;-)
Date: 7/5/2017 3:06:00 PM
Omg Greg ! Where do all theae poems spring from and how am I supposed read them all? My my i will try. This one freaks me out. Did you evetually kiss her or not?? Ha ha ha. I am so happy you now have an avatar, a face! I wrote you back on inbox . Its better on email though. Missed you stacks. I was blocked for a few weeks. I m just happy to convene . Off course this one is good. Its rhe mark of the word mechanic. Write me Jannie
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/6/2017 3:29:00 AM
Glad you're back - you left a hole in the fabric of PS!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/6/2017 3:28:00 AM
Thanks for the heads-up, my friend, I will check out your message. I agree about email being better, so I'll reply you there, and you can always write me there. Do you have Facebook? I gave you my email, right? Glad you liked this one - it was a joy!
Date: 7/5/2017 10:15:00 AM
Oh from a child's eyes, (or was it later) this is a special reflective piece, I loved the imagery used, the 4-3 verses really suit you, enjoyed a lot this write, your pen is mighty, I learn from you each time I read you, thanks for posting this gem!
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/6/2017 3:24:00 AM
That's one of the kindest things I've ever heard, Buddy - to hear a writer of your caliber say that to me just blows my mind. Thank you loads, my friend - you made my day! :-)
Date: 7/5/2017 7:11:00 AM
This was beautiful Greg. A soft and alluring piece that was filled with beauty and enchantment
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Gregory Richard Barden
Date: 7/5/2017 7:17:00 AM
Thank you so very much, Chris - I greatly appreciate your kind comments! This was a labor of love ... and memories, golden. :-)

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry