Follow the Money

For today’s prompt, take the phrase “Follow (blank),” replace the blank with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem.

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Follow the Money

Deep Throat’s insight
into political corruption
is more true in today’s swamp
than it was in that parking garage.

Scum rises to the top
and a senator
is the best investment
a corporation can make.

But money doesn’t motivate me.
Business is boring,
finance frustrating,
politics puerile.

Should I disappear without explanation
or you find my corpse in a ditch like Poe’s,
don’t follow the money.
Cherchez la femme!

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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 Follow the Money

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

    Superb finale!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. Othermary's avatar othermary says:

    I had to laugh at your last line!

    Liked by 1 person

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