My Life So Far

For today’s prompt, write an introduction poem. Introduce yourself, introduce a friend, or introduce a stranger. If you don’t wish to introduce yourself, consider writing a persona poem (a poem in which you write from someone else’s point of view like Emily Dickinson or a bumblebee).

My Life So Far

I’ve been playing the poetry game
long enough that I’ve lost track
of how many have been published.
But not so long that I don’t feel
that thrill through my sinews
when one gets accepted.

This is my tenth poem-a-day challenge.
It’s addictive, like a runner’s high,
exerting and exhorting myself poetically—
just put one word in front of the other
until you cross the finish line in May.

Why run a marathon? Why climb Everest?
Why spend the cruellest month each year
writing as if Shakespeare were holding
a Glock to my head? Because the rejections
still suck the enthusiasm from my art
but if I keep trying I hope
to someday get it right.

Welcome to National Poetry Month!

About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is one of the organizers of Living Poetry, a collection of poets and poetry lovers in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he makes money as a computer programmer to fund his poetry habit.

View all posts by Bartholomew Barker →

12 Responses to My Life So Far

Lisa Tomey says:

2021/04/01 at 19:57

And you are so good at getting it right. Welcome to the big month!

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2021/04/01 at 20:12
  
  You flatter me. Thank you!
  
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JeanMarie says:

2021/04/01 at 21:05

I love the sentiment this conveys, and the image of Shakespeare holding a glock to your head. I myself will be resting as much as possible this April. 😉

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2021/04/01 at 21:13
  
  Rest well but I hope at least one of the prompts this month inspires a poem from you.
  
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Kritika says:

2021/04/02 at 06:43

Wow loved the way you compared running with poetry.

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2021/04/02 at 16:50
  
  Thanks! Glad that metaphor resonated with you.
  
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  - Kritika says:
    
    2021/04/03 at 01:33
    
    My pleasure :)
    
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Carolyn Crossley VixenOfVerse says:

2021/04/02 at 06:44

I too, like the image of Shakespeare holding a Glock to your head. This April I am writing 30 form poems for NaPoWriMo. Well that is the theory. Lol 😆

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2021/04/02 at 16:52
  
  Thanks. Good luck with your poem-a-day!
  
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  - Carolyn Crossley VixenOfVerse says:
    
    2021/04/02 at 19:49
    
    ❤👩‍🦰❤
    
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Cassa Bassa says:

2021/04/02 at 20:37

I wrote something on my blog on the same prompt, I must admit, in comparison to yours, its chalk and cheese…😁

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2021/04/02 at 20:44
  
  Thanks. Chalk and cheese, huh? I love cheese…
  
  Now that I’ve written today’s poem, I’m going through my nightly reading list. I think you’re up next.
  
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