Spaced Out

For today’s prompt, write a space poem.

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Spaced Out

Singing Happy Birthday
hands slick with soap
I lost track of myself

Like a greedy movie villain rubbing
or opening the doors of the church
to see the people— I cleansed

In my vision— the thermometer
on the sink in the mirror
but not in my thoughts

First or second Happy Birthday Dear
I don’t remember
I slipped between my fingers
Don’t know how long— gone
seconds
maybe minutes
without a thought
just warm hands
in orbit
around
each other


How long has it been
since I held your hand
Far too long

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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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4 Responses to Spaced Out

  1. Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld's avatar Lisa Tomey says:

    That last stanza…took it all down from hand washing to sentiment. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

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