Coronabeard
I wear a crown about my jaw,
encrusted not with jewels
but pie crumbs.
It’s not gold, never was.
Call it platinum or silver,
just not gray.
I crowned myself, like Napoleon,
and, without a Josephine to complain,
it has grown into its majesty.
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.
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 
Glorious!
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Thanks. I’ll trim it at some point but not today.
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Hahaha you grew attached to it…
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Floofy and Poofy!
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Not adjectives I was hoping for but I can’t refute them.
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Manly and powerful?
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Much better!
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Virtual play auditions coming soon to a computer near you! Trim? Naah Let the beardness run! And if desiring change buy a pipe, a cap, and plaid.
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I’ve already got a kilt!
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I love this, Bart. You’re fierce!
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Thank you! That’s one of my favorite adjectives.
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This is fantastic!
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Glad you liked it.
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That is really you with a beard? Hahaha, you look different than your profile pic. Which do you prefer? beard or no beard?
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That’s really me. It’s funny how much a beard can change a face. I prefer a beard but, once I start going back out in public, I’ll keep it trimmed more tidily.
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Yes, truthfully, I don’t mind my boyfriend with a nice manicured beard but when it starts getting to much out of control I think it ages him about 10 years!
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My beard is much grayer than the rest of my head but I think it’s worth it.
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As long as you are happy, it doesn’t matter what anyone thinks.
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As I wrote in the poem, I have no Josephine to complain so I’m letting it grow!
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