Heart of the Problem

Posted on 2024/04/23 by Bartholomew Barker

Things get stuck in my mind,
dates, places, trivia.
It was useful as a student,
less so as a husband.

Never forgot an anniversary
or a birthday or a lie.
Every time she said “no”,
I heard “never”.

I wish my memory were a fertile
field that could be watered
and weeded. Instead it’s a cemetery,
with every betrayal chiseled.

I could forgive but not…

Today’s Prompt: Reflect on the concept of memory and its impact on our lives.

For today’s Two-for-Tuesday prompt: Write a “(blank) of the Heart” poem, and/or… Write a “Heart of the (blank)” poem.

I’m also very proud to announce and a new poem of my has been published at MasticadoresUSA. You might think Cassandra is related to today’s poem. And you might be right.

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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25 Responses to Heart of the Problem

  1. Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld says:
    2024/04/23 at 19:42

    I like the vulnerability in this poem. Congratulations on your publication.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. ivor20 says:
    2024/04/23 at 19:44

    Memories are chiseled into our hearts … that’s what happens to the heart …

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. berniebell1955 says:
    2024/04/24 at 02:37

    Presently – I’m working on letting go. A GOOD THING.

    Even if a person finds it hard to forgive or forget – just - let it go.

    LIVE.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • Bartholomew Barker says:
      2024/04/24 at 22:19

      It’s easier said than done for some of us.

      Like

      Reply
      • berniebell1955 says:
        2024/04/25 at 05:10

        You can include me in the ‘some of us’. It took a very hard up-heaval to make me work on this – I had to – I did – I am doing so. It is hard – but – the alternative, ultimately, is harder to live with. Just my view……

        Liked by 1 person

  4. berniebell1955 says:
    2024/04/24 at 02:40

    For that matter – that could make your memory a fertile field ready for new growth.

    That’s fuckin’ profound!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. memadtwo says:
    2024/04/24 at 08:46

    Plenty of things stuck in my mind, but mostly the reverse–guilt. In the end I suppose it’s the same thing. What’s done is done from both sides. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Haze says:
    2024/04/24 at 11:16

    Rumour has it that it gets better with time. Heard that flowers do grow in between the concrete cracks.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  8. luvgoodcarp says:
    2024/04/25 at 06:16

    I love the line “everytime she said no, I heard never.” Well done.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

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