Boy in a Hospital
I woke up empty—
left eye swollen shut
where they pulled
out my memory
A lady sits at my bedside
holding my hand
her eyes melting
under harsh fluorescents
Who is she— who am I
no longer a son or brother
I am alone on an island
surrounded by strange waters
Memories are the essential tethers
to the ones we love and mine were cut
For this week’s Living Poetry Prompt; inspired by a story I once heard. Hope he’s okay.
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 
A tragedy?
check this out https://littlethings001.wordpress.com/2020/12/30/because-you-can/
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It’s been long enough that perhaps tragedy has turned into comedy.
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Another creepy one! Well done!
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Thanks!
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Some story there for sure. I love the first verse, it gives a surreal tint to the whole poem, leaving the reader willing to believe all manner of things happening there. Good ‘poeming’.
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Thank you. It must’ve been a surreal experience. I’m glad that came across.
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Yes, I could definitely feel that.
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Love it!!!
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Thanks!
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This is a brain twister, for sure. Well done.
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Ha! Good one. Thanks.
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