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Poetry Prompts

Monday Poetry Prompt: Neighbor

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This week let’s a write neighbor poem. Growing up, I knew my neighbors but, I must admit, I don’t know my neighbors now. Maybe being a neighbor is different these days. Post about your poetic neighbors in the comments below.

About Bartholomew Barker

Bartholomew Barker is one of the organizers of Living Poetry, a collection of poets and poetry lovers in the Triangle region of North Carolina. 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 makes money as a computer programmer to fund his poetry habit.

Discussion

20 thoughts on “Monday Poetry Prompt: Neighbor”

  1. in my neighborhood
    we’re in two-deep rows
    stacked by three
    lined up by four
    In my neighborhood
    We know the dog barks times two
    and their families by “hello”
    since their dogs helped us meet
    In my neighborhood
    We meet people at the mail station
    or a knock on my door
    when the neighbor gets my mail
    In my neighborhood
    We talk to people at the pool
    play water catch with a little girl
    named Daisy
    and help her find her lost toy
    In my neighborhood
    We share where to find fresh fish
    to people from other states
    who found this to be home
    In my neighborhood
    We can count on the sweet lady
    who smiles and says it is sweet
    to see us holding hands
    In my neighborhood
    we are known at the office
    because we visit
    and have coffee
    Stacked houses really don’t matter
    in my neighborhood

    Liked by 5 people

    Posted by Lisa Tomey | June 14, 2021, 7:19 AM
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  2. Beautiful Neighbor
    Amy Hadley

    She’s tinier
    than she ever was,
    my neighbor,
    and shrinking still.
    My greeting is met with
    a shy glance, a hesitant grin
    and a wave.
    I reintroduce myself
    like I’ve done every day
    for two years now
    and we become fast
    new friends
    for an hour.
    Once upon a time
    she was a nurse,
    in charge of a team
    of nurses.
    Now a nurse
    is in charge of her
    as she retreats
    inward.
    Once upon a time
    she was an adopted grandma
    to my sons,
    attending ball games
    and band concerts,
    cheering them on,
    as proud of them
    as if they were her own.
    They are strangers
    to her now,
    scary, menacing men
    who mean her harm;
    she hides behind her nurse
    when they stop to say hi,
    and when they leave,
    brave-faced
    and teary-eyed,
    we all weep
    for our beautiful neighbor
    and for what
    once was.

    Liked by 3 people

    Posted by Amy Hadley | June 14, 2021, 4:04 PM
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  3. Neighbors
    Growing up, I knew all neighbors for blocks
    I was curious, friendly; rode my bicycle around
    when I became a mother, I knew my neighbors
    many kids too, who came around
    for whatever reason
    I became a single person again and I didn’t.

    Now as a senior in a multi-generational
    neighborhood, I wave when I see a
    neighbor outside; a surprised look on
    their face, seconds later they return
    the wave.

    Liked by 4 people

    Posted by purplestoneblog | June 14, 2021, 5:44 PM
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  4. Reply to this comment

  5. My take with a short story
    https://wp.me/sap1rn-tom

    Liked by 1 person

    Posted by Cassa Bassa | June 16, 2021, 4:13 AM
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  6. True story:

    I had a neighbor who is a poet
    But I moved away don’t you know it
    We’re still friends
    But it all depends
    On traffic routes alternate

    …..

    OK, so they can’t all be great. One of these days I shall master the limerick.

    Liked by 1 person

    Posted by JeanMarie | June 16, 2021, 3:22 PM
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