Before I fold the square
I write a little poem
something brief and cryptic
like a poorly translated fortune
If I’ve folded a boat
I’ll launch on the creek
let it float downstream
to a reader or some hungry fish
If I’ve folded a paper fly
I’ll throw it from the balcony
at the windiest part of the day
hoping a stranger will catch
I have buckets of flowers
folded from pied pages
and when I drive down the interstate
they blossom from the bed of my pickup
Littering the side of the road
wildflowers of variegated poetry
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 
That is a super cool poem with wonderful imagery.
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Thank you! I forgot to mention that I wrote this to the Living Poetry Prompt: Origami.
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Lovey.
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I love this, Bartholomew…whimsical imagery throughout. 💜
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Thank you, Jai. We definitely need more whimsy in poetry.
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My pleasure, Bartholomew. 😊
I can whimsify…but only on rare occasions. Wish it came more naturally to me. 💙
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Thank you for a lovely prompt Bartholomew!
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Thank you for writing to it, Gypsie!
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“wildflowers of variegated poetry”
Spreading the word…..
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Thank you, Bernie. The adjective “variegated” is under-used outside botany.
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Such lovely imagery.
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Thanks. It’d be harder to write a poem with ugly imagery when talking about origami.
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This is wonderful poetry Bart. 💚💚💚
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Thank you, CB. Very impressed with your take on the prompt too.
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☺️
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Loved the way your beautiful imageries made me feel! Thank you!
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So glad they evoked some feelings too. Thank you for letting me know!
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prime prismatic poetry, Bartholomew
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I’m proud to have produced it and appreciate your praise.
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Love the imagery!
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Thank you, Dawn!
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All I can think of is Where Have All the Flowers Gone?
A poorly translated fortune?
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Ha! I’d forgotten about that song from our youth.
I was thinking something like “The sun will break from your mailbox slot.”
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Ah, more like, Oh Lord, can you buy me. . . .
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You got it!
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“The sun will break from your mailbox slot” sounds vaguely rude.
‘Honi soi qui mal y pense’
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Your love for origami and poetry is evident in your words. It’s fascinating how you intertwine these two art forms, creating something unique and beautiful. Just as you carefully choose the words for your poems, you also take the time to select the right paper and folds for your origami. Both require precision, attention to detail, and creativity. Your willingness to share your creations with others shows a generosity of spirit, a desire to connect with others through your art. It’s inspiring to see how you use your passions to spread joy and beauty in the world, one paper creation at a time. 👍👏👌😊
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Thanks! It’s not just origami that entwines well with poetry. Any art that requires deliberation, which is most of them, will do that. We need more art in the world.
BTW, thanks for the origami poem on your blog!
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“Any art that requires deliberation, which is most of them, will do that.”
I wrote a poem about potting/baking – both of which I believe to be art forms….
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I agree that potting and baking are art forms. Well done!
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Oh, this! “they blossom from the bed of my pickup” – the image of seeding the landscape with poetry is magnificent and inspiring. Thank you, Bartholomew!
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Thank you, Stacey! I hope you’ll sow some poetry too.
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Very interesting write! A bit differ from your usual style and just as wonderful.
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Thank you, Annabel. It’s good to change things up every once in a while.
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You’re in m’blog again….and Gypsie too..
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16193
…with observations and additions.
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Thank you, Bernie!
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I was just thinking how nice it would be to find some wildflowers today!
Lovely, imaginative poem. <3
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Thank you, Cheryl!
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Some days, some words are needed to be read. Thank you for this poem!!
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I’m glad this poem found you on the right day.
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