Her Hand in Mine

Posted on 2023-09-06 by Bartholomew Barker

An innocent gesture
In this decadent club
Sipping my wine
Chatting with her
She slips her hand into mine
Our fingers braid
This effortless warmth
Is what I treasure
Not that she’s half naked
Not that for a dollar
She’ll remove her bra

Another regular arrives
She asks permission
To go to him
Knowing I’ll grant it
As I know my refusal
Would be ignored
I’d rather she stay
But she’s on the clock
And I’m just a customer
So I send her off
To make some money

Considering my past
This lack of jealousy
Surprises me but
No promises exchanged
No vows sworn
Not abandoned
I am released
Content to wait
Scribbling notes to myself
Until she slips her hand
Back into mine

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.

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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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12 Responses to Her Hand in Mine

  1. ivor20's avatar ivor20 says:
    2023-09-06 at 20:31

    The hands of time stop for no commands

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Michele Lee's avatar Michele Lee says:
    2023-09-06 at 21:01

    Finally clicked through to your collection. ✨

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. berniebell1955's avatar berniebell1955 says:
    2023-09-07 at 05:49

    Reminded me of this…

    …and that’s a compliment.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. Didier Beaugrand's avatar Didier Beaugrand says:
    2023-09-18 at 11:22

    Great write. A beautiful and atmospheric scene full of meaning and unanswered questions. Very nicely done. I love it.👏👏👏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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