Like the Crescent Moon

Posted on 2025-04-09 by Bartholomew Barker

The far side of your face
is lit by the sun—
enough earthshine to twinkle
your eyes and enough shadow
to hint at mysteries.

If I were a photographer
who knew f-stops and film speeds,
I’d snap this image,
develop it in a darkroom,
frame it for your wall.

But then it would be only you.
Instead I’ll write a poem—
strip you of your identity,
leave you naked as a cipher
so you become universal.

And now you are everyone
the reader finds beautiful.

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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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12 Responses to Like the Crescent Moon

  1. Katie Frances Hartless's avatar Katie Frances Hartless says:
    2025-04-09 at 19:52

    Your words catch my breath. 📸

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris's avatar Gypsie-Ami Offenbacher-Ferris says:
    2025-04-09 at 20:21

    Stunning Bartholomew! 💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. JeanMarie's avatar JeanMarie says:
    2025-04-09 at 20:46

    Interesting

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. sammicoxwriter's avatar sammicoxwriter says:
    2025-04-10 at 04:04

    Wonderful 💖

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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