Chiropteran Sonnet

Posted on 2024-10-31 by Bartholomew Barker

A cauldron of bats swirls above my house.
Entranced, I watch them circle and spin,
one dives so close, my hair quivers
as the air erupts from its thin wings.

The swarm mistakes me for a juicy mosquito
and I feel warm fur brush my scalp and a pinch
on the neck followed by flush. I close my eyes
to savor the rising like a harvest moon.

Echoes of chirps and clicks fill my ears
with a map and the wind lifts me higher
as I trace epicycles over the unforgiving
land and sharp geometries of man.

Here’s a chimney, still warm from the day.
My new muscles tire. Think I’ll hang here.

 

(Happy Halloween!)

Unknown's avatar

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.
This entry was posted in Poetry and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

18 Responses to Chiropteran Sonnet

  1. Cassa Bassa's avatar Cassa Bassa says:
    2024-10-31 at 17:23

    That’s something to watch and experience. The sound and how on time they are everyday to travel the journey.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Laura's avatar Laura says:
    2024-10-31 at 18:33

    Happy Halloween! 🦇 🌑 👻 🎃

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. berniebell1955's avatar berniebell1955 says:
    2024-11-01 at 04:34

    THIS IS MOST EXCELLENT! Going in m’blog.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. johnlmalone's avatar johnlmalone says:
    2024-11-01 at 17:48

    terrific poem !

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. JeanMarie's avatar JeanMarie says:
    2024-11-02 at 01:26

    good poem. and educational.

    chiropteran : Greek “hand wing” (“chiro” + “ptera”)

    cool

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a reply to berniebell1955 Cancel reply