Author Archives: Bartholomew Barker

About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker was born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough, North Carolina where he makes money as a computer programmer to fund his poetry habit.

Lost Keys

Posted on 2019/03/11

Lost Keys I always find my keys in the next to last place I look. I keep searching just in case there’s something better between the couch cushions or in the crisper, maybe a set that unlocks a faster car, … Continue reading →

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The Fire Sermon

Posted on 2019/02/26

The Fire Sermon I write by candlelight because everything’s burning My body is smouldering like a midnight log nearly exhausted My mind flickering nightmares sputtering phantoms of a wasted muse Our planet boiling hollowed by desire thunder speaks to water … Continue reading →

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August in Ohio

Posted on 2019/02/11

August in Ohio Deafened by cicadas, I spend my summer in the vibrant woods south of Lytle Creek. The train tracks beckon from the other side. There’s a penny in my pocket that needs to be smeared across the iron. … Continue reading →

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Gauguin

Posted on 2019/02/04

Gauguin returned from painting naked south seas women to tend his friend Van Gogh. The painting turned out better than his ministrations. Perhaps our present crisis will propel us to a better future of worldwide topless tropical beauty. A mango … Continue reading →

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Chromatic

Posted on 2019/01/28

(Yesterday, I hosted a Germination Workshop where seven poets wrote to nine prompts over two hours. The final prompt was a round robin poem on demand where I wrote to the word “Chromatic” provided by the poet on my right … Continue reading →

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Snow Day

Posted on 2019/01/09

Snow Day “Put on your coat. It’s freezing out there.” – My mother I woke to the ticker-tack of sleet on my bedroom window in the middle of a school night after the weatherman had predicted several inches. How could … Continue reading →

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rainy new year

Posted on 2018/12/31

rainy new year let’s sleep in tomorrow, a nice rainy january first, ease into the new year, groggy and dim. let the rain fall like expectations, drenching the land puddling the world. let the flood wash away our past, clean … Continue reading →

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Celestial Musings

Posted on 2018/12/24

I am proud to announce that two of my astronomy inspired poems were included in the Celestial Musings anthology just released. While it may be too late for a holiday present, poetry is always timeless and the proceeds for this … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged | 4 Comments

The Pudding on the Cake

Posted on 2018/12/13

Last night I hosted my annual Holiday Chocolate Open Mic at Matthew’s Chocolates in festive downtown Hillsborough. It was an intimate crowd of poets and an appreciative audience sharing wine and chocolate on a chilling evening. So, in that spirit, … Continue reading →

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Lady Hawk on Wolff Poetry

Posted on 2018/12/03

One of my favorite poems is being featured on one of my favorite poetry blogs, Wolff Poetry. Check it out!

Posted in Poetry | Tagged | 4 Comments