When the Bladder’s Afferent Signals Ascend the Spinal Cord an Hour before the Dawn

Posted on 2023/04/17 by Bartholomew Barker

I find the restroom and not a moment too late
but I must be in some Gothic institution
a prison or asylum — the plumbing is exposed
the fixtures made of dark heavy grained stone

Spigots labelled with cryptic symbols
I can’t tell the hot from the cold
the sink from the toilet
and I awake in a panic

Stumble to my apartment’s familiar bathroom
but all the drains are clogged
and water cascades onto stained linoleum
as if Poseidon himself were coming to visit

I hate these nested dreams
like that movie Inception
but now I’m relieved and awake
I hope

(For today’s prompt, write a nerve poem.)

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.
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23 Responses to When the Bladder’s Afferent Signals Ascend the Spinal Cord an Hour before the Dawn

  1. JeanMarie says:
    2023/04/17 at 20:55

    I have had dreams like this. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Sarah E Barker says:
    2023/04/17 at 21:09

    I like it

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Michele Lee says:
    2023/04/17 at 23:13

    A stressful start to the day! Made for an interesting poem.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Cassa Bassa says:
    2023/04/18 at 00:22

    Oh toilet dreams!!!! I dislike them…don’t wanna pee my pants ….🤪🥴🫥😶‍🌫️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. equipsblog says:
    2023/04/18 at 09:32

    Very clever. I just hope if I have a similar dream, I’m awake before an accident happens.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. berniebell1955 says:
    2023/04/18 at 09:53

    Dear oh dear – I have those dreams – and when I find a toilet/loo/bathroom – it’s horrible – dirty, naaaasty – or….eeeekkkk I can be seen by EVERYONE!

    It’s my birthday on Friday, and I’ve got a poem prepared – along the lines of time passing – ageing.
    Yours is going be included in that blog post – heaven preserve us from middle-aged bladders!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  7. pensivepoetblog says:
    2023/04/18 at 14:21

    That is the question. Are we awake or are we not?

    Love the pic of all the derelict plumbing. It is somewhat nightmarish and somehow somewhat chic. A stage for further decadence?

    I like this one Bart. I refused to see inception. I’ve had that dream recur but in a different form. Trapped in State office Buildings and you’re a bird trying to get out. Horrible! I don’t need no stinking movie.

    M

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. Man Kun says:
    2023/04/18 at 14:33

    hey thanks for visiting my blog
    Happy blogging

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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