Best Intentions

Posted on 2020-01-29 by Bartholomew Barker

 

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Best Intentions

Doc says I should eat better,
exercise more. I know.
I know.

He asks if I remember
what we talked about
last time.

I scour my crusted memory
but these exams blur
together like a field of pinwheels
in a lightning storm.

I suppose I could drink
a little less, leave the bar
before my Honda carriage
turns back into a pumpkin
but why would I want to outlive
my doctor?

We have a nice arrangement—
I visit every February,
listen to his lecture,
feign concern at numbers—
some too high, some too low,
shake hands after he’s wiped
away the Vaseline.

See you next year.

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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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6 Responses to Best Intentions

  2. Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld's avatar Lisa Tomey says:
    2020-01-29 at 17:34

    “like a field of pinwheels
    in a lightning storm.” Love! Fun and frank poem 😊

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  3. writenaked's avatar writenaked says:
    2020-02-14 at 19:37

    I feel like this is a bridge to MILKSHAKES AND CHILI DOGS PART DEUX.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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