Author Archives: Bartholomew Barker

About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is one of the organizers of Living Poetry, a collection of poets and poetry lovers in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he makes money as a computer programmer to fund his poetry habit.

Statues of Dublin

Posted on 2022/12/07 by Bartholomew Barker

I love a city that erects statues to its writers. Even though James Joyce did most of his work abroad he casts a long shadow over Dublin. Two monuments to him are pictured here. My original plan was to visit … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin 2022 | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

The Grave of William Butler Yeats

Posted on 2022/12/06 by Bartholomew Barker

I got lost on my way to W. B. Yeats‘ grave which I think was appropriate. Getting to Sligo was easy enough from Dublin and also quite pleasant since it involved a three hour train ride across Ireland. I saw … Continue reading →

Posted in Dead Poets, Dublin 2022 | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

The Sunflower Sessions Open Mic

Posted on 2022/12/04 by Bartholomew Barker

On the last Wednesday of each month for the past fifteen years(!) The Sunflower Sessions has been offering an open mic to the poets of Dublin. I showed up at the Lord Edward Pub, a cute rickety old pub in … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin 2022, Poetry | Tagged , , , | 20 Comments

The Grave of Gerard Manley Hopkins

Posted on 2022/12/03 by Bartholomew Barker

It’s not a vacation without a visit to a cemetery and Glasnevin is the biggest one in Dublin. It’s also the final resting place of the renowned Victorian poet, Gerald Manley Hopkins. There have been more than a million interments … Continue reading →

Posted in Dead Poets, Dublin 2022 | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

Fraiku: St. Michan’s

Posted on 2022/12/02 by Bartholomew Barker

He’s still dead after 800 years. Plant me under a tree for immortality. I prefer not to reveal the inspiration for my poems but I think this one needs a little context. I visited St. Michan’s Church today and took … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin 2022, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 11 Comments

Goals

Posted on 2022/11/30 by Bartholomew Barker

Goals Watching men from Ecuador and Senegalplay football in Qatar from a bar in Irelandthis poet from the United Statesacknowledges his decadence. Fortune kissed my forehead at birthwhen I came out white, straight and malein America. I can take my … Continue reading →

Posted in Dublin 2022, Poetry | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Haiku for the Moon

Posted on 2022/11/28 by Bartholomew Barker

She shines her sideways smileFrom too low in the skyPolaris too high Image taken from my hotel room with my phone. She looms much larger in my mind’s eye.

Posted in Dublin 2022, Poetry | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Fraiku: Jet Lag

Posted on 2022/11/25 by Bartholomew Barker

I walk alien streets Beneath clouds just crossed Yet my head remains fogged

Posted in Dublin 2022, Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on 2022/11/24 by Bartholomew Barker

The Fourth Thursday in November Laughter rolls in from outside where cousins play Laughter bakes into the cornbread where cooks gossip Crying onions bubbling gravy crackling turkey All parade to the table where we hold hands in fidgety anticipation As … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , | 21 Comments

Milkshakes & Chilidogs Reviewed!

Posted on 2022/11/22 by Bartholomew Barker

Dawn Pistorino posted a review of my chapbook of food poems today. I encourage all my readers to check it out and follow her fine blog. I love these lines from her review: You will not find any anorexic rejection … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 16 Comments