Approaching the side of a mountain,
at a few miles per hour,
I watch cumulus clouds
cast shadows on the land
which move like the spots
on a Harlequin Great Dane don’t.
The shadow of a hawk or eagle
swifts across the interstate.
I hunch inside my little hybrid
from some ancient instinct.
At last I see the entrance
to the tunnel and the cars
being swallowed up like sun
as I cross into darkness.
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 
It’s all there – planets moving – casting shadows on each other – on us – light to darkness – darkness to light.
Concise – yet full of meaning – another Bartholomew Barker poem.
Was it written on your way to view the Eclipse?
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Well done! You read the words I didn’t write.
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That’s what happens with good art – of every kind. The recipient fills in what they see, depending largely on their personal way of seeing.
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Agreed! And that’s why I think the intent of the artist doesn’t really matter.
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Those time when we are stopped in traffic can be little blessings to regroup and notice. I love how you instinctually hunch down when the hawk shadow flies over. I do stuff like that all the time, knowing that I am not going to be hit. Enjoyed this post.
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Thank you, LuAnne! While I get still get frustrated, especially when there’s no obvious reason for the back up, at least I can put the time to good use.
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I actually wrote a poem about that (I’ve written a poem about everything!) called Space-between Game: https://intentionalinterplay.wordpress.com/2016/08/18/space-between-game/
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Excellent work! Isn’t funny how after you’ve written long enough, you’ve got a poem for everything?
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well done
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Thanks, JM!
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Love the imagery! Especially the Harlequin Great Dane’s spots 😀
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Thanks! Wasn’t sure if that image would “work” so I’m especially glad it did for you.
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