Atlantean waves slide ceaseless into the sand
the sound climbs the side of my skyscraper
where I search from sufficient syllables
to describe their whispry lullaby
I sleep on the balcony wrapped in sheets
as the fog blankets the seaside streetlights
and I dream of her pressing her finger
against my lips
(for Sammi’s Weekend Writing Prompt)
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 
Your first verse brings to mind the last verse of ‘Lake Isle of Inishfree’ – W B Yeats…
“I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart’s core.”
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I’m honored my little poem reminded you of Yeats. That’s one of his best.
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Years ago I knew someone who had an old record of W.B. Yeats reciting ‘Lake Isle of Inishfree’ – imagine!
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That’s so cool!
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Susurration: One of my favorite words of all time! Thank you, Bartholomew : )
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Thank you, Stacey! Susurration is in my top ten certainly.
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Love the hush of this poem, Bartholomew. I can so relate to trying to find “sufficient syllables /to describe”… I think that is both the curse and the joy of a poet.
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Thank you, LuaAnne! Totally agree on the curse and joy.
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“the fog blankets the seaside streetlights” 💚
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Thank you, CB!
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Nice post 🖊️
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Thanks!
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