Author Archives: Bartholomew Barker
Practice Fire in the Gyroscope Review
I’m proud to announce that my poem Practice Fire has been included in the Winter 2020 edition of the Gyroscope Review. You can download a free PDF but you’ll want to buy a paper or electronic copy because poetry.
Online Dating Haiku
Mining for true gold in online personal ads all I find — pyrite (from the Monday Living Poetry Prompt)
Seven Steps to Writing a Poem
Seven Steps to Writing a Poem Wait one hour after the sun sets. Light two candles, left and right. If your three muses are hanging around send them home. They’ve done their job, now they’re just a distraction. Four mood, … Continue reading
The Optimist’s Sonnet
The Optimist’s Sonnet I’m thankful for this flat tire making me late for work. At least I have a car and two jobs so I can keep up my payments. I’m thankful for this headache reminding me I’m alive and … Continue reading
Sixth Grade
for Raymond Keltner, 1936-1979 In the Thunderdome of twelve-year-old boys, learning the Code of the Playground, No Tattling, Two for Flinching, I had my first male teacher. He was a big guy and played the curmudgeon. When he took … Continue reading
Leg Man
Leg Man Watching the subtle streaks on the inner glass, only visible under precise light and vintage, I wonder who’ll appear on this blind date? The wine is the skirt, the source of those shapely apparitions. Will her legs be … Continue reading
Shameless Self-Promotion
Need a last minute gift this holiday season? My chapbook Milkshakes & Chilidogs and other food poems is available. You’ll get 24 tasty poems for $4.95 paperback or $1.99 digital with zero calories! Here’s a sample from the dessert section, … Continue reading
Grateful
Grateful I’m grateful for the spring and Robert Frost seeing the gold within the green. I’m grateful for summer and William Carlos Williams’ dependable wheelbarrow. I’m grateful for autumn and James Wright along the Ohio River. And I’m grateful for … Continue reading
Waiting at the Bar
Waiting at the Bar Don’t talk to me, I’m quite content watching you pour and mix while I sip and twirl, awash in the hum of other conversations and the ting of silverware. Let me savor these moments, anticipating her … Continue reading
Drawing A Circle
Drawing A Circle My enemy drew a line in the overheated sand— daring me to cross. With my pen I turned his line into a circle, big enough for us both. Nothing standing in between— no pundits, no internet, no … Continue reading
