Live Long and Prosper

Posted on 2024/04/10 by Bartholomew Barker

After school, I’d play alone in my basement,
build spaceships out of LEGOs while watching
Star Trek. I’d pretend I was Mr. Spock,

practice raising one eyebrow in the mirror,
separate middle and ring fingers in salute,
observe the aliens that occupied my class.

Only half-human, I’m sure he would’ve found
their behavior “fascinating” then beam
up to the Enterprise and warp off somewhere

more interesting than Ohio in the 1970’s
where people wouldn’t make fun of his ears
or punch him during recess just for knowing
the answers and raising his hand.

Today’s Prompt: Write a poem inspired by a work of art or piece of literature. Yes, I consider Star Trek both a work of art and piece of literature.

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. 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 makes money as a computer programmer to fund his poetry habit.
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19 Responses to Live Long and Prosper

  1. Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris says:
    2024/04/10 at 22:25

    Love this Bartholomew! In my youth and even now, I’ve written a few short stories in which I was, “Mrs. Spock!” 1/2 Vulcan and 1/2 (I’m not divulging!). Great piece!!! 🧚🏽

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  2. Michele Lee says:
    2024/04/10 at 23:21

    Engaging subject and poem! Isn’t poetry and writing in general wonderful, allowing us to revisit childhood memories, keeping that youthful spirit alive. “Live long and prosper” poet Bart! 🖖🏻

    Liked by 4 people

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  3. Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld says:
    2024/04/11 at 08:06

    How I love going back to childhood memories. This poem took me there, even though I was not a Trekkie. It’s on my bucket list to try watching some shows. I bet I get hooked. In all fairness, I have seen one movie. What I could truly relate to was using the imagination to put us in a place of fantasy. For me, that was a life saver.

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  4. michaeljordahl says:
    2024/04/11 at 12:17

    Live long and prosper

    Liked by 1 person

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  5. luvgoodcarp says:
    2024/04/11 at 18:05

    Well done, Bart. What’s more alien? Vulcan or Ohio in the 70s?

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Susi Bocks says:
    2024/04/24 at 15:07

    You had me at collectible Spock!

    Liked by 1 person

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