Tag Archives: blacklivesmatter

American Dream Deferred

Posted on 2021/01/18 by Bartholomew Barker

American Dream Deferred A deeply rooted dreamthat one day this nationwill live out the truemeaning of its creed A dream that little childrenwill one day live not judgedby the color of their skinbut the content of their character I’d like … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , , | 13 Comments

How Many More?

Posted on 2020/10/06 by Bartholomew Barker

How Many More?for Breonna Taylor When you kill my sisterand praise her murdererdo not condemn mefor breaking glass. When you crush my brother’s neckand anger inflames a citydo not demand the restraintyour police lack. When your promises of reformare broken … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , | 15 Comments

Men Like Me

Posted on 2020/09/28 by Bartholomew Barker

Men Like Me I fear for my friendsthe ones who are huntedby men like me— paleprivileged and in power I fear for my friendsbecause the wheels of justiceare rusted— corruptedby men like me We suffer no consequenceswe wink at honest … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Unacceptable

Posted on 2020/08/24 by Bartholomew Barker

Unacceptable The arc of history may be long, too long for my taste, and I’ll grant it bends to justice, when observed over centuries but what good are years to those whose time has been stolen? George Floyd Breonna Taylor … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Angry Summer Sonnet

Posted on 2020/06/22 by Bartholomew Barker

Angry Summer Sonnet Do not put your fist through drywall or glass. Do not screech frustration behind shuttered windows. Knock on neighbor’s door. Anger leads to action and action to change. Bring everyone you know. Punch the sky. Let the … Continue reading →

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

Our Virus

Posted on 2020/06/19 by Bartholomew Barker

Our Virus We must eradicate this virus infecting our nation. It is dangerous, pervasive and has killed far too many. We know how to fight but intentional ignorance and tribal chest pounding has prevented progress. Science can lead but will … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Haiku: A bad apple spoils the bunch

Posted on 2020/06/11 by Bartholomew Barker

A bad apple spoils the bunch Some proverbs ring true Claiming there are just a few bad apples Confirms the bunch is rotten

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Skin-Deep

Posted on 2020/06/08 by Bartholomew Barker

Skin-Deep I’ve traced my ancestry, my family, through courthouses and cemeteries and no more than one-sixty-fourth owned other men and only in the jaded view of the law— my shameful heritage, like many of my southern neighbors. How could my … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Law and Order

Posted on 2020/06/03 by Bartholomew Barker

Law and Order I’m supposed to fear those in the streets demanding reforms and when glass is broken and tear gas clouds our vision, it is scary. But I’m more afraid of sycophants in suits ignoring subpoenas, welcoming bribes, trading … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Invisible

Posted on 2020/05/30 by Bartholomew Barker

Invisible Like explaining menstrual cramps to my wives, I tell my black friends how non-violence and civil disobedience are superior to riots. “If I were black…” But I was not black. I grew up white, trusting police to serve and … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , | 11 Comments