Tag Archives: napowrimo

Directions to My Place

Posted on 2023/04/30 by Bartholomew Barker

I invite my muse to stay for a long weekend but it’s difficult finding my apartment in this labyrinthine complex. My text message directions are simple: Turn left at the old Quaker Meetinghouse (not the new one) Turn left at … Continue reading →

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Glymphatic Poetry

Posted on 2023/04/29 by Bartholomew Barker

I carry a bag on my walks to collect the trash left by my fellow swine. Plastic and aluminum spark like jewels by the side of the road— water bottle diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires depending upon the brand— A never-ending … Continue reading →

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Fraiku: You Are My Muse

Posted on 2023/04/28 by Bartholomew Barker

We only glimpse each other through layers of masks yet you inflame my marrow (For today’s prompt, take the phrase “You Are (blank),” replace the blank with a new word or phrase, make the new phrase the title of your … Continue reading →

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A Bird in the Hand…

Posted on 2023/04/27 by Bartholomew Barker

Bobo wouldn’t know what to do with a bird if he ever caught one. He’d probably play with it like a chew toy until it stopped squeaking then leave me to bury the body. Moriarty has honed instincts for the … Continue reading →

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All Sorts of Things Fall from Trees

Posted on 2023/04/26 by Bartholomew Barker

Fledglings dropping into flightAbandoned nests on the groundGooey green walnuts that ooze sticky handsSpiky sweet gum balls that pierce bare feetPecans scooped for crackingdestined for syrupy pieMulberries pluckedfrom high branchesby eager childrenspoiling dinnerfingers stainedpurple swinginglong low limbsdown to Earth One … Continue reading →

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Message in a Bottle

Posted on 2023/04/25 by Bartholomew Barker

My messages in bottleshave dissolved to mushriding the wavesfor so many years Heartfelt poetryand crumpled pagesbecome mere litteremotional clutter Like plastic water bottlesclogging the oceans (Today’s prompt over at the April Poem-A-Day Challenge was a repeat of day 4. Fortunately, … Continue reading →

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Walking Barefoot in April

Posted on 2023/04/24 by Bartholomew Barker

Venus beckons me from the twilight skybut I am firmly rooted in my planet.My bare feet squish through soggy soilon my evening walk after a soaking rain. The clouds reach down to caressmy hair with a misty breezebut they cannot … Continue reading →

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Athazagoraphobia

Posted on 2023/04/23 by Bartholomew Barker

I’m not bothered by snakes or spiders. I love climbing trees and exploring caves. Public speaking excites some minor anxiety but much less than an invitation to a party. No, I’m afraid of an empty inbox, of a phone that … Continue reading →

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What a Tree Can Do

Posted on 2023/04/22 by Bartholomew Barker

I drown my breakfast pancakes in syrup but the dog still wants more lapping up the sweet Outside our window a maple grows bright with pride blushing her stately beauty from green to orange to red Waving in the breeze … Continue reading →

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The Boy and The Anthill

Posted on 2023/04/20 by Bartholomew Barker

I’ve been that little boywith a magnifying glasslooming over an anthillon a sunny afternoon. It was interesting, even comical,the way the ants ran from my heat rayand the ones who couldn’t find covercurled as they were incinerated. Notice my use … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry | Tagged , , , , , | 21 Comments