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.
My new town looks very much my old one
only 15 miles away
More trees and quiet cul-de-sacs
But it seems different
as if something is happening
Trick-or-treat was filled all the friends I’ve made
as we wandered in these new-to-me streets
filling my pillowcase with great candy
whole minis of Hershey’s and Reese’s
Snickers and M&Ms
(These people give out great stuff!)
I dreamed I was walking to Ronnie’s house
through the cornfield across the highway
on the path to the stepping stone bridge
cross the steam to his street
The ripe corn wasn’t yellow dent but colorful like candy
I pulled an ear down and found
it was candy
sweet
in berry and watermelon and tart and flavorful
like Fruit-Stripe gum
juicy and delicious
all of my favorite flavors
and I walked with Kenny and Ronnie past Jill’s house
I gave her what was left of the ear I had picked
She smiled and said thank you
when I woke up
the sun was now up early since Daylight Savings Time passed
the Cardinals already sounding their morning calls
Fifth grade has been so good since I moved
I hope that nothing ever changes
My fashion sense runs to colors bright
I like unicorns and all things light
But October is the season of scare
I now dress in black. Look twice. Be aware.
I still have rainbows, but in my corn
On my neck, my enemies’ teeth do adorn
Life like an ear of rainbow corn
would be beautiful
each kernel its own unique colorful design
nature playing jokes on us
or sending us possibilities
sweeter when colorful
the first bite is up to you
then again
life is rainbow colored
Living Poetry 
My new town looks very much my old one
only 15 miles away
More trees and quiet cul-de-sacs
But it seems different
as if something is happening
Trick-or-treat was filled all the friends I’ve made
as we wandered in these new-to-me streets
filling my pillowcase with great candy
whole minis of Hershey’s and Reese’s
Snickers and M&Ms
(These people give out great stuff!)
I dreamed I was walking to Ronnie’s house
through the cornfield across the highway
on the path to the stepping stone bridge
cross the steam to his street
The ripe corn wasn’t yellow dent but colorful like candy
I pulled an ear down and found
it was candy
sweet
in berry and watermelon and tart and flavorful
like Fruit-Stripe gum
juicy and delicious
all of my favorite flavors
and I walked with Kenny and Ronnie past Jill’s house
I gave her what was left of the ear I had picked
She smiled and said thank you
when I woke up
the sun was now up early since Daylight Savings Time passed
the Cardinals already sounding their morning calls
Fifth grade has been so good since I moved
I hope that nothing ever changes
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Posted by Chris Clarke | October 5, 2020, 4:17 PMVery nice little story. Thanks for sharing.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | October 5, 2020, 7:26 PMMy fashion sense runs to colors bright
I like unicorns and all things light
But October is the season of scare
I now dress in black. Look twice. Be aware.
I still have rainbows, but in my corn
On my neck, my enemies’ teeth do adorn
LikeLiked by 2 people
Posted by JeanMarie | October 5, 2020, 2:09 PMWoooooo bewitching!!
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | October 5, 2020, 3:36 PMLisa, you know I’m evil, right? 😃🤣😂😉😎
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Posted by JeanMarie | October 5, 2020, 4:08 PMROFL
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | October 5, 2020, 4:11 PMScary and rhymie!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | October 5, 2020, 7:23 PMLife like an ear of rainbow corn
would be beautiful
each kernel its own unique colorful design
nature playing jokes on us
or sending us possibilities
sweeter when colorful
the first bite is up to you
then again
life is rainbow colored
LikeLiked by 2 people
Posted by Lisa Tomey | October 5, 2020, 7:35 AMSweet!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | October 5, 2020, 7:21 PMThank you!
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | October 6, 2020, 6:27 AM