Sappho’s Song

Posted on 2023-06-28 by Bartholomew Barker

Sing me no songs of the daylight
For the sun is the enemy of lovers
Sing me instead of shadows and darkness
And the memories of midnight

Sing me no songs of domestic brews
For the usual beers do not intoxicate
Sing me instead of red wine and absinthe
And the warmth of my intemperate muse

Sing me no songs of everyday women
For the office ladies offer no inspiration
Sing me instead of strippers and dancers
And dim nights at the club

Sing me no songs of bleached blonds
For they have nothing ‘neath their curls
Sing me instead of fiery red heads
And the misfortunes of virtue

This year marks the tenth anniversary of my first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular. To celebrate I’m posting my favorite poems from the book on Wednesday nights, of course. I posted this back in 2014 and it is the second most viewed poem on my site. I re-posted it in 2021 and that one has gotten just one-third the views over the same time frame. I wonder how this post will do…

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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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9 Responses to Sappho’s Song

  1. Michele Lee's avatar Michele Lee says:
    2023-06-29 at 01:50

    Congratulations on your anniversary! 🎉 I see why this is one of your favorites!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2023-06-29 at 18:37

    💚👏🎉

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Didier Beaugrand's avatar Didier Beaugrand says:
    2023-07-06 at 02:07

    Delicious. 😋😜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Susi Bocks's avatar Susi Bocks says:
    2023-08-03 at 16:30

    Well done, Bart! How does anyone walk in those heels?!?!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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