How to Bad Luck

Posted on 2022-04-13 by Bartholomew Barker

For today’s prompt, write a How to Blank poem.

Today, in honor of the potential luckiness of the number 13, I’d like to challenge you to write a poem that joyfully states that “Everything is Going to Be Amazing.”

How to Bad Luck

Moriarty is a black cat
born on a Friday the 13th.

I wake up to his staring daggers
like my freshman English teacher
when I was late for class.

He enjoys crossing my path,
making me stub my toe
on the coffee table
while I stumble to the kitchen
to serve him breakfast.

I knock over the salt shaker
reaching for the canned food.

Somehow I just know that I’ll break
the bathroom mirror shaving.

But I’ve welcomed him into my life.
I need more bad luck—
if only for the poetry.

Unknown's avatar

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.
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22 Responses to How to Bad Luck

  1. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2022-04-13 at 18:20

    You paid the price for poetry, and Moriarty was pinned as the scapegoat. 🤠😁

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Bill's avatar Bill says:
    2022-04-13 at 18:45

    I sure miss mine. Well chosen. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. ivor20's avatar ivor20 says:
    2022-04-13 at 20:33

    Haha … fortune favours the brave ..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. yourplateormine967244485's avatar yourplateormine967244485 says:
    2022-04-13 at 21:17

    Good job on the challenge! 😁 I am thinking of writing a limerick for the challenge for my blog! Wish me luck 🍀😁🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Jewish Young Professional "JYP"'s avatar Jewish Young Professional "JYP" says:
    2022-04-14 at 06:03

    Nice description of a feline friend

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. Carolyn Crossley VixenOfVerse's avatar Carolyn Crossley VixenOfVerse says:
    2022-04-14 at 22:50

    Moriarty is one smart cat! 🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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