Ocean Dream
I was in a canoe drifting on the ocean
under stars reflected off mirrored water
barely disturbed by the rhythmic ripples
keeping cadence with my thoughts
Then I was riding a mannequin— face down
in the brine— fish pale under the moonlight
nearly losing my balance I lay down
matching its pose— arms out legs stiff
Body still and quiet except for the brush
of salty water against raw wrinkled skin
unblinking eyes watch the shadows of clouds
slide along the sand below the waves
(for Sammi Cox’s Mannequin prompt and the Living Poetry Musical prompt. Have a listen while reading the poem.)
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.
That’s some kind of chilling scene you crafted there. 🖤
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That’s what I was going for. Thanks!
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👍
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