Tomorrow I’m having brain surgery.
I asked them to cut out my empathy
center with a sharp knife
so I can live happy.
And while I’m exposed, remove
that bright red ganglia of outrage
so I won’t be susceptible to political
ads and start voting Republican.
I just want to scroll social media,
watch cat videos and not worry
about the latest disasters or wonder
if the neighbor kids are hungry.
If this is my final post,
the surgery was a success.
(for this week’s Living Poetry Prompt.)
About Bartholomew Barker
Bartholomew Barker is one of the organizers of Living Poetry, a collection of poets and poetry lovers in the Triangle region of North Carolina. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he makes money as a computer programmer to fund his poetry habit.
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 
Fun and original post, Bart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Pat. Glad you enjoyed it.
LikeLike
Not the sort of cosmetic brain surgery I had imagined,. but each to their own. Good luck and farewell, perhaps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Cosmetic Brain Surgery” is a great title for a poem. You should write it!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ll give it ago
LikeLiked by 2 people
terrific ! wildly inventive; would go over well at a poetry slam !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John! I’ll give a try the next open mic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hope it won’t be your last post . . . Clever piece, though, Bart!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Tre! We’ll see if I can come up with a haiku on Friday.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My Lord! Spot on – going in m’blog…..How many times have I thought I’d rather not think – but always realise/decide that it’s better to LIVE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Bernie! And living means thinking for us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think this word is used too often these days – but it’s the one that fits here…..Absolutley!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reminds me of ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this, Bart.. hahahaha.., Sign me up, please💕
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Cindy! I’ll refer you to my surgeon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
PS – my spelling ain’t too good at this time of the morning!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Mine would be even worse, if I were awake.
LikeLike
move over, I’m next
LikeLiked by 2 people
May your surgery be more successful than mine.
LikeLike
Haha. If there are no more posts, I’ll be signing up for the same surgery.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Alas…
LikeLiked by 1 person