This week let’s write an heirloom poem. Do you have any objects that were treasured by your ancestors? What do you hope to leave as a legacy for future generations? Post your answers in the comments below.
About Bartholomew Barker
Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina where he has hosted a monthly feedback workshop for more than decade. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in and about strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food inspired poetry was served in 2017. He was nominated for a Pushcart Prize in 2021. Born and raised in Ohio, studied in Chicago, he worked in Connecticut for nearly twenty years before moving to Hillsborough where he lives and writes poetry.
Living Poetry 
I will leave behind
my words, some typed, some in books, some written
if they have not been read in my lifetime
perhaps someone will care to read them
after my visit on earth
mother always said
you’ll miss me when I’m gone
how I wish I had her letters
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | May 24, 2021, 7:27 AMVery good Lisa. I was going to write something about leaving my poetry behind but now I don’t have to. Or I will. It’s not a competition. 🙂
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Posted by JeanMarie | May 24, 2021, 3:47 PMPlease do! I’d love to read it.
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | May 24, 2021, 6:19 PMExcellent!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | May 24, 2021, 5:37 PMThank you
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | May 24, 2021, 6:19 PMMan of the Wind
Dennis Gray
I know your face
as well as mine
My small fingers
rode every curl
Tooth and jaw.
I poked those eyes
As well as mine
Sitting staring
Wondering
What you had to say
For yourself.
It was no wonder to me
When I found my son
Sitting face to face
Fingers gliding
Across your edges
Poking inside those eyes
As he pointed
To his own
Your smile
If that’s what it is
Greets all who come here.
Every child is welcomed
To roam your face
Look into the darkness
And wonder
What do you have to say
For yourself.
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Posted by Dennis Gray | May 24, 2021, 11:53 AMNice. Now I want to know where and exactly what this is! 🙂
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Posted by JeanMarie | May 24, 2021, 3:45 PMJeanMarie, I wrote this about a Man of the Wind carved chair, circa 1870s. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
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Posted by Dennis Gray | May 25, 2021, 10:52 AMLovely!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | May 24, 2021, 5:38 PMOh. Love this and I think I know what it is. Glad you dropped by.
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | May 24, 2021, 6:22 PMAntique Tiger oak Northwind/Griffin Roman Chair -Stomps Burkhardt – rare mint | eBay
Lisa, here’s a link to a picture of it! Thanks for reading.
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Posted by Dennis Gray | May 25, 2021, 1:20 PMHere’s mine:
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | May 25, 2021, 8:42 PMIn six generations, I am sure
My name will be remembered by my kin
as only as one of many to carry it forward
Whether as Seamus or as James
or a future variant which I will never hear
we all stand in a line
which continues in each direction, unvarying
beyond what our minds can see
I thank all of you to one side
For giving to me all that you could, unintended
And to other, I pour out an example, undictated
And I will watch the horizon for as long as I can
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Posted by Chris Clarke | May 26, 2021, 1:30 PMVery nice. Here’s to hoping you have six generations of progeny!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | May 26, 2021, 5:38 PM