Last Slice of Life

Thirty poems in thirty days, hope you’ve enjoyed my work this National Poetry Month.

For today’s prompt, write a closing time poem. Or another way of coming at this prompt is to write a poem in which something is coming to an end–like this month’s poetry challenge. Could be the end of a concert, an era, or whatever else must come to a close.

Photograph: HANDOUT/AFP/Getty Image

Last Slice of Life
for David Goodall

When there’s less than a glass
of wine left in the bottle
I finish it before it turns to vinegar
even if it was delicious.

Especially if it was delicious.
I don’t leave the last slice
of pizza to molder in my fridge
nor the last piece of pie.

Life can be just as fleeting.
Why cling to the last days
like a car that spends more time
in the shop than on the road?

If I decide someday
I’ve lived too long,
don’t cite archaic laws
of God or man.

The only thing I truly own is my body.
Let me go in peace.

About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. 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 lives and writes poetry.

View all posts by Bartholomew Barker →

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7 Responses to Last Slice of Life

Allie says:

2018-04-30 at 21:23

Sniff, sniff. But I don’t like endings, and I don’t want your daily poems to end either. I do however wish Mr. Goodall happy and joyful last days. I am glad he found a place that will allow him to rest in peace. May we all have a fraction of his ease when it’s our time to part, may we one day be ready when we need to.

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2018-04-30 at 21:58
  
  Agreed!
  
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ELLE says:

2018-05-13 at 18:32

Sad to see the last day of your thirty! Hope to see more :)

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2018-05-13 at 19:42
  
  I’m relieved to be done with April. May is for revisions.
  
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Neha Sharma says:

2018-07-12 at 06:09

Beautiful! :)

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2018-07-12 at 09:16
  
  I’m glad you liked it.
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person