This week let’s write a repetition poem. It could about something that repeats or it could use the poetic device. It could even be both. Post your repetitive poem in the comments below. But only once.
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 
Different Rooms
Married so long, we talk from different rooms.
Rooms are not loudspeakers.
Loudspeakers would be good.
Good dogs bark to aid our hearing.
Hearing aids would be good to wear.
Where are you now? What did you say?
Say that you love me, that’s why we married.
Married so long, we talk from different rooms.
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Posted by nolchafox | August 14, 2023, 8:18 AMExcellent use of repetition! Well done!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | August 14, 2023, 6:40 PMThanks so much!
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Posted by nolchafox | August 15, 2023, 7:47 AMTo repeat: ‘All men are created equal’
Even those who were bought and sold on the auction blocks
Even those who find they are uncomfortable in their assigned gender.
Even women – for, yes, that word ‘men’ meant all hu’men’ kind
Even those who carry a label or love another physically just like them.
Even the book-banners, the race-haters, the anti-semites and white supremacists
Yes, to repeat: ‘All men are created equal’
And to top it off – ‘they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights’
Which, in spite of their actions, even the states of Florida and Texas cannot deny.
Yes, to repeat: ‘All men are created equal’
Say it now. Say it again. Over and over and over
Until it truly becomes the law of our land.
Until it truly rules all of our hearts, and minds, and hands
Say it now, say it again.
‘All men are created equal’
‘All men are created equal’
‘All men are created equal’
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Posted by Donncha | August 14, 2023, 8:58 AMHear! Hear!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | August 14, 2023, 6:41 PMI love you
saying it over & over & over again
doesn’t make it so
they’re just words after all
as you never fail to remind me
after you’ve discharged the weapon
that is your mouth
after I’ve failed to shield myself from the arrows
of your vitriol
after I’ve tiptoed through the minefield
of your contempt
they’re just words meaningless words
no, saying it over & over & over again
doesn’t make it so
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Posted by amyhadley2180751 | August 14, 2023, 11:58 AMI love it. Pith. A biting truth. Kudos to you!
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Posted by Donncha | August 14, 2023, 1:18 PMLove the “arrows of vitriol” and “minefield of contempt”. Great work!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | August 14, 2023, 6:43 PMIn the middle of an online session
My laptop stopped
Didn’t flutter, beep or flicker
My laptop stopped
Didn’t say I’ll see you later
In the middle of an online session
My laptop stopped
My mouth dropped
My heart sunk
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Posted by DanielleM | August 14, 2023, 4:08 PMVery nice. Simple. Lyrical. Succinct.
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Posted by Donncha | August 14, 2023, 6:05 PMHi, thank you! ❤️
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Posted by DanielleM | August 15, 2023, 10:41 AMHa! Been there. Well done!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | August 14, 2023, 6:45 PMLikeLike
Posted by Bartholomew Barker | August 14, 2023, 8:24 PMOooh, love divedark (as a former scuba diver). I enjoyed your poem!
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Posted by nolchafox | August 15, 2023, 7:50 AMThank you, Nolcha! Glad that resonated with someone who’s had actual experience.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | August 15, 2023, 1:01 PMLIFE IN REPETITION
Everyday living
on repeat
like a copy machine
steady pace
never race
Don’t ask me
about happiness
pleasure
or joy
They are luxury thoughts
too radical
for me
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Posted by Cassa Bassa | August 15, 2023, 10:52 PMLove “life on repeat like a copy machine”
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Posted by JeanMarie | August 16, 2023, 2:32 AMLove the copy machine image. Life feels like that a lot, doesn’t it?
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | August 16, 2023, 7:35 PMAt times.
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Posted by Cassa Bassa | August 16, 2023, 10:48 PM