Tag Archives: day

Día de los Muertos

Posted on 2025-11-01 by Bartholomew Barker

We lay an offering on the alter.For great-grandfather Whilum,a trowel encrusted with the earth.For great-grandma Emma,a bowl of butterscotch candy.For grandma Mary,a feed-sack apron.For grandpa Boppi,a dancing harmonica.For my father Peter,another flashlight magnetic and powerful.And for my mom— rye,sweet vermouth … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Vacation Planning

Posted on 2025-04-22 by Bartholomew Barker

Let’s go to the beach this summer, splurge on soft serve and funnel cake, before the ocean reaches up and drags the boardwalk down. Let’s play one more game of Skeeball, as the Red Hats cheer the masculine waves and … Continue reading →

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

Maps to the Haunted

Posted on 2023-10-09 by Bartholomew Barker

I grew up surrounded by ghosts in a state whose name means great river in the dead language of the Seneca. Specters and spirits all over the map, like Chillicothe on the banks of the Scioto where framed by molded … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments