No More Silence

For today’s prompt, write a sound poem.

No More Silence

I could blame this modern age
whether it’s a truck blubbering
or an airplane overhead sputtering
or the heat pumps keeping us cool

But even in the furthest wilderness
I couldn’t sleep in total silence
because there’s a tiny tuning fork burrowing
into my ears that can’t be unheard

I could blame rock ‘n’ roll
all those head-banging concerts
fueled by drugs and sex and sound
but only three left my ears ringing

I just wish I had better stories
from a cacophonous youth

Last December, I wrote a Fraiku about my tinnitus. This is just an expansion of that poem.

In other news, while looking for more poetry online, I discovered that The Orkney News publishes poems. I offered them my final poem of last year’s April Poem-A-Day Challenge and they posted it. If you’re new my work or can’t remember last year, check out Farewell to Stromness.

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 →

13 Responses to No More Silence

pensivepoetblog says:

2022/04/21 at 21:56

I wish we all did. Maybe that’s why they call us Boomers. Sorry if I’m throwing you in the wrong category. But things were Booming!! I’m glad they are not worse stories. But I have some of the same regret at times. Nice one!

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2022/04/21 at 22:31
  
  Thanks. I am among the youngest Boomers.
  
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  - pensivepoetblog says:
    
    2022/04/21 at 22:59
    
    The artwork in the pic is amazing. I thought it was a fetus at first. It really helps to understand the tinnitus in such a visual way. I hope it’s not constant.
    
    LikeLiked by 1 person
  - Bartholomew Barker says:
    
    2022/04/21 at 23:22
    
    It’s constant but not always noticeable.
    
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ivor20 says:

2022/04/21 at 22:07

I hear that ringing, echoing noise ,…

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2022/04/21 at 22:32
  
  Sorry about that. It gets rather annoying at times, doesn’t it?
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  - ivor20 says:
    
    2022/04/21 at 22:39
    
    Yes ..especially at writers and poetry meeting ..
    
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yourplateormine967244485 says:

2022/04/21 at 23:32

I hear 👂 you! 😁

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2022/04/21 at 23:34
  
  Ha!
  
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JeanMarie says:

2022/04/22 at 00:26

Nice work for a troublesome irritant. Next time… I’LL WHISPER.

Great work on Farewell to Stromness too. Seems like the poem was almost written for the publication.

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2022/04/22 at 16:26
  
  Thanks. I didn’t even know The Orkney Times was a thing until I stumbled across someone else’s poem there. I think I’ve gotten more views from them than just about any other publication.
  
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Eduard Stoleru says:

2022/04/22 at 10:29

Nice work, Bart! Sorry about your ear, though …

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- Bartholomew Barker says:
  
  2022/04/22 at 16:23
  
  Thank you, Eduard! Nice to see your name again.
  
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