The Grasshoppers of a Mind

Posted on 2023-04-16 by Bartholomew Barker

Thoughts like grasshoppers
dance in a fallow field,
never resting in one spot
long enough to feed.

I try to shepherd them and fail.
My volition gusting in vain
as some jump from my hair
and others fly into my mouth.

They do not submit,
which makes me wonder
if I’m the swarm or the wind—
the field or the sky.

Or maybe that which wonders
is nothing at all.

(For today’s prompt, take the phrase “The (blank) of a (blank),” replace the blanks with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your poem, and then, write your poem.)

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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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21 Responses to The Grasshoppers of a Mind

  2. Be Fit and Healthy's avatar Be Fit and Healthy says:
    2023-04-16 at 21:17

    Loved reading this
    This is a beautifully written and thought-provoking piece! I really enjoyed the images you used to convey your struggle with your own thoughts. I’m curious, what inspired you to write this piece and what do you ultimately want readers to take away from it?
    Jessi
    http://www.befitandhealthy.net/

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Bartholomew Barker's avatar Bartholomew Barker says:
      2023-04-16 at 22:00

      I guess one of the grasshoppers must’ve been nibbling on my ear while I wrote this. As for what my readers should take away, I’d like them to take some of these damn grasshoppers!

      Like

      Reply
  3. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2023-04-17 at 03:58

    The grasshoppers seem to be annoying.

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. berniebell1955's avatar berniebell1955 says:
    2023-04-17 at 08:37

    The following poem was in my blog last November. I have a memory of it being prompted by something you wrote – but can’t remember what!
    Something to do with words being elusive….like grasshopper thoughts? I can’t remember!
    Memory is elusive too – more so as age advances….

    Catch Them If You Can

    When he opened the door
    He could hear the rustling
    As they moved.

    Some turning towards him
    Some away.

    He kept them caged
    Or they would fly.

    Though he treated them well –
    Sometimes they would work with him
    Sometimes not.

    Sometimes they were elusive.

    Words.

    BB Nov 22

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  5. Cindy Georgakas's avatar Cindy Georgakas says:
    2023-04-17 at 13:53

    Great imagery and sentence Bart “if I’m the swarm or the wind—
    the field or the sky.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. JeanMarie's avatar JeanMarie says:
    2023-04-18 at 02:26

    I really like the metaphor of thoughts / grasshoppers.
    Of course you are the swarm, as those thoughts create you. the wind is the muse

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. angieluvsleo's avatar Angela Suor says:
    2023-04-18 at 22:47

    Reblogged this on Remember to Breathe.

    Like

    Reply
  8. abbasmehar's avatar abbasmehar says:
    2023-04-21 at 01:50

    Lovely! I appreciate you sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. luvgoodcarp's avatar luvgoodcarp says:
    2023-04-22 at 06:40

    Nicely done, Bart. The opening line compels the reader to keep reading to a great conclusion.

    Liked by 1 person

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