The Optimist’s Sonnet

Posted on 2019-12-30 by Bartholomew Barker

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The Optimist’s Sonnet

I’m thankful for this flat tire
making me late for work.
At least I have a car and two jobs
so I can keep up my payments.

I’m thankful for this headache
reminding me I’m alive and for Advil
since I can’t take time off to see a doctor
even if I could afford the co-pay.

I’m trying to stay positive
since my girlfriend’s pregnant
but I’m afraid to ask for a raise
since they busted the union.

I’m thankful that this year was so damn bad,
there’s no way next year could get any worse.

 

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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.
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18 Responses to The Optimist’s Sonnet

  1. Filimages's avatar Filimages says:
    2019-12-30 at 16:52

    I wish you a better 2020 year than 2019 ! :)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld's avatar Lisa Tomey says:
    2019-12-30 at 17:16

    The story of one too many lives, expressed from the soul.

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. JeanMarie's avatar JeanMarie says:
    2019-12-30 at 17:32

    Still don’t like the title. :)

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  4. mbrazfieldm's avatar mbrazfieldm says:
    2019-12-30 at 17:46

    All the health and fortitude to keep on keeping on in 2020 friend 😊💜

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  5. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2019-12-30 at 18:00

    Well penned, it represents a lot of the working poor.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  6. erroneouschoices's avatar erroneouschoices says:
    2019-12-30 at 18:49

    You’re awesome for your perspective ❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. Eugi's avatar -Eugenia says:
    2020-01-05 at 20:28

    Well done! The darker side of many lives.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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