Fraiku: Ouch!

Posted on 2025-03-28 by Bartholomew Barker

First warm afternoon
writing poems windows open
a wasp critiques my work

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.
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31 Responses to Fraiku: Ouch!

  1. ivor20's avatar ivor20 says:
    2025-03-28 at 20:16

    A bitey poem, Bart …

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Ali Grimshaw's avatar Ali Grimshaw says:
    2025-03-28 at 21:18

    I hope this poem is imaginary.

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. johnlmalone's avatar johnlmalone says:
    2025-03-28 at 21:25

    ahh; that last line elates it :)

    Liked by 1 person

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  4. Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris's avatar Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris says:
    2025-03-28 at 22:42

    Per California Psychics: “The wasp seeks balance, and it asks if you are engaged in conflict or causes that are right and just or merely manmade. Act and react to situations as if you are the one in control because you are. There’s no need to wave and swat what isn’t really after you. However, if a wasp does sting you, it’s her way of suggesting that you need to be mindful of your own power, your own reactions and respond accordingly.”

    To sting or not to sting, that is the question!! 🐝

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  5. Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris's avatar Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris says:
    2025-03-28 at 23:14

    Perhaps …. Perhaps not. What do wasps know of poetry !?

    Liked by 1 person

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  7. luisa zambrotta's avatar luisa zambrotta says:
    2025-03-29 at 05:26

    Really brilliant!!!🐝

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. equipsblog's avatar equipsblog says:
    2025-03-29 at 06:55

    I have felt your pain and prefer not to do it again.

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Cheryl Batavia's avatar Cheryl Batavia says:
    2025-03-29 at 12:20

    Bart, I love your poem! It’s brilliantly written and hilarious. 😅 I am so sorry you had to suffer for your art! 💔

    Liked by 1 person

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  10. mitchteemley's avatar mitchteemley says:
    2025-03-29 at 16:04

    I know criticism can sting, but sheesh!

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  11. Annabel's avatar Annabel says:
    2025-03-29 at 18:52

    this is a fun one! ☝️

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  12. LuAnne Holder's avatar LuAnne Holder says:
    2025-04-01 at 10:32

    I jumped when I opened this post! Ah the joys (and terror!) of writing in springtime.

    Liked by 1 person

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