Tag Archives: Wednesday Night Regular

Closing Time

Posted on 2023-10-25 by Bartholomew Barker

Final chord settling Into velvet-draped walls Dancers safely back stage False dawn at 2 a.m. As lights undim They say you don’t have to go home But you can’t stay here I sit in my cold car Windows down Exhaling … Continue reading →

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Wine into Wisdom (reprise)

Posted on 2023-10-18 by Bartholomew Barker

Wine clings to the sideAs I slowly twirl the glassWatching colored stage lightsBounce off Merlot Through the haze I realizeI am the wineClinging to thatWhich confines me Living in the glassGradually sinkingIn this pool of liquidThat used to support me … Continue reading →

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Driving Home

Posted on 2023-10-11 by Bartholomew Barker

Orion hangs high Watching over my shoulder In midnight autumn air Driving home from the club Windows up heater on Against new chill Music blaring singing poorly Mouth mumbling a mint Warmed by my night in Eden Reliving every smile … Continue reading →

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Bubbles

Posted on 2023-10-04 by Bartholomew Barker

Song’s first barYour eyes changeGentle friendshipTo wanton desire Bubble formsAround usRoom slidesFrom focus Just your eyesFixed on mineJust your skinCaressing mine Just your bodyAnd just mineJust us in thisCouch-sized universe Just like loveExcept I knowExactly whenThis bubble Will collapse This … Continue reading →

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Tightrope

Posted on 2023-09-27 by Bartholomew Barker

One glass and I feel fog glow on my skinTwo and words flow like spring rainThree and they pour brilliantBut not in the right orderMore and I drown in the flood Somewhere between two and threeIs where I want to … Continue reading →

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Blinded

Posted on 2023-09-20 by Bartholomew Barker

Take off my glasses so there’s nothing between our eyes Stay close to these windows of my myopic soul I just want to feel The curve of your hips in my hands the smell of your baby powder skin the … Continue reading →

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Worn Red Nail Polish

Posted on 2023-09-13 by Bartholomew Barker

Worn red nail polishadorns the ends of ten toescovered with fishnet stockingsI would take those toesenclose them in warm handsabsorb the coldpush thumb to solefeel flesh yieldtension releasethought dissolvebeneath sturdypoetry writing fingersforcefully caressingformerly boundhigh-heeled feet All because a glimpse of … Continue reading →

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Her Hand in Mine

Posted on 2023-09-06 by Bartholomew Barker

An innocent gestureIn this decadent clubSipping my wineChatting with herShe slips her hand into mineOur fingers braidThis effortless warmthIs what I treasureNot that she’s half nakedNot that for a dollarShe’ll remove her bra Another regular arrivesShe asks permissionTo go to … Continue reading →

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Countdown

Posted on 2023-08-30 by Bartholomew Barker

Various vintagesStanding derelictOn my kitchen counterCityscape of liquorIn sundry stagesOf emptiness Between bottlesScattered portraitsOf Jackson and FranklinOnce lush greenNow disappearingAs drought drains funds Bank balanceOnce gradually growingNow slowly steadilyCounting downNot to launchBut collapse This year marks the tenth anniversary of … Continue reading →

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Snake Dancer

Posted on 2023-08-23 by Bartholomew Barker

Alone in the clubMetal music crashesOff checkerboard floor Beautiful serpentMirrored scales vibratingIn stroboscopic light Pliant breastsBlack asymmetric hemSkirting limbless body She hisses up to meLong hair swayingAs she undulates An incongruous arm appearsHanding me a crystal globeBrimming with Merlot She … Continue reading →

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