Monthly Archives: October 2020

What Dreams May Come

Posted on 2020/10/30 by Bartholomew Barker

What Dreams May Come I wake up in a film noir bedroom—streetlamp shadows on my ceiling. I dreamt not of being chasedbut of chasing, of attacking—of taking primitive pleasurefrom the feel of a faceunder my fist, the tasteof someone else’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged | 17 Comments

A Screed with Seven Days To Go

Posted on 2020/10/27 by Bartholomew Barker

Washington still smells like a swamp. We send living representativesto dredge out the grimebut they die from the stenchand we keep re-electing their corpses. If you want change— change your vote.Even if he’s from your tribe,if he’s been there long … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Summer Picnic

Posted on 2020/10/24 by Bartholomew Barker

Summer Picnic Fresh cut grass under our blanketyour warm skin ‘neath my fingertipsa tree is blooming above usand its petals envy your lips The low branches waltz in the breezeto the music guiding your hipsflowers open to catch the sunand … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged | 18 Comments

Brave and Reckless: Mad World

Posted on 2020/10/21 by Bartholomew Barker

The Brave and Reckless Blog posted a little poem I wrote for one of their prompts. It’s called Sleep the Sleep of the Dead and it was prompted by that wonderful song Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears wrote and … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Beggars Night

Posted on 2020/10/19 by Bartholomew Barker

Beggars Night It must be Halloween.There are little boys marchingthrough my neighborhood,fondling their guns,wearing grown men costumes—Junior dressed as a Brownshirt,little Eric as a Proud Boy. They want us to be as frightenedas they are. I give them candybut can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Naugatuck River Review

Posted on 2020/10/16 by Bartholomew Barker

I’m honored to have a poem included in the latest edition of the Naugatuck River Review. They accepted Flowering Dogwood, a poem I wrote a decade ago, when I was just beginning to take poetry seriously. It’s a true story … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged | 14 Comments

Tricks and Treats

Posted on 2020/10/12 by Bartholomew Barker

Tricks and Treats Don’t be frightened by the monstersin television ads promising prosperityand predicting pandemonium. Don’t be frightened by the beggarsin your email, requesting treatsto prevent someone else’s tricks. Don’t be frightened by politics,be angry that money decides electionsinstead of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , | 10 Comments

Danger Haiku

Posted on 2020/10/09 by Bartholomew Barker

We’re just like childrenfighting over the last slice of piein a house on fire.

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , | 7 Comments

How Many More?

Posted on 2020/10/06 by Bartholomew Barker

How Many More?for Breonna Taylor When you kill my sisterand praise her murdererdo not condemn mefor breaking glass. When you crush my brother’s neckand anger inflames a citydo not demand the restraintyour police lack. When your promises of reformare broken … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Timeless Love

Posted on 2020/10/03 by Bartholomew Barker

Timeless Love What would you think if I beggedyou to be the Eurydice to my Orpheusand swore you wouldn’t have to waitas long as Penelope for my return? And I would return, unlike John Keatsto his Fanny, I’m too old … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged | 5 Comments