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.
I think of an atom — with the enduring stateliness of nature behind it…
Ataraxia
If beliefs were atoms we were immune
from despair — the mystery of the living world
would reveal all in the rushing of water, the vapors
from a forest floor, even a growing wildfire
blackening the souls of trees, so wild and merciless,
just an excited wonder sweeping us to the great
joining/unjoining, throats become hoarse
singing our pressure waves of joy.
Thanks — with the idea that splitting can be destruction, I guess. Glad I happened on your site.
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I think of an atom — with the enduring stateliness of nature behind it…
Ataraxia
If beliefs were atoms we were immune
from despair — the mystery of the living world
would reveal all in the rushing of water, the vapors
from a forest floor, even a growing wildfire
blackening the souls of trees, so wild and merciless,
just an excited wonder sweeping us to the great
joining/unjoining, throats become hoarse
singing our pressure waves of joy.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent work! I especially like your description of the wildfire.
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