Inspired by Eugenia’s Weekly Challenge – Dramatic &
Reena’s Exploration Challenge #241 – The only ghost that scares is a past version of you.
born, learn, grow, crisis, steps back, success, loss
life’s cycle of dramatic events
in the big picture
churning and adapting to a new edition
the only ghost that scares is a past version of you
Inspired by Sadje’s What do you see #134
only a smattering of fragments
and hints will i give you
seemingly evasive or cagey
self-preservation
always on my mind
detection is a concern
wholeness eludes even me
the person closest
experiencing it all
compartmentalizing the good
the bad and the ugly
i’m complexity wrapped in skin
My response to this piece – “The image accompanying it is such a clear picture of the contortions we go through for the sake of others.” Wouldn’t you agree?
“Nothing ever really goes away, it just changes into something else. Something beautiful.” Sarah Ockler
If It Did But what if I wasn't, or if I couldn't, maybe never would, and what if I didn't, well, would it really matter? Because if it did, perhaps you'd change your mind? Whatever your disposition, this dissonance won't leave. ©Paul Vincent Cannon
Early Birds
How I hate those poets who rise at dawn
to write a couple hours before work—
Wallace Stevens especially, Emperor of Ice-Cream,
my ass! You’re not the only one with a day job.
And don’t get me started on Ted Kooser,
who should be staying up late in the flatlands
to watch the milky way flow instead of drinking dawn
from a bucket some early bird probably pooped in.
My muse sleeps in a bottle and does not awake
until neon lights buzz. She inspires the moon
and I do her bidding beneath flickering televisions,
whipping a ballpoint to get every last drop.
The only time you’ll see me in the stark morning light
is if I’ve had to walk home drunk and forgotten the way.
Holding On
As the soft skin of your leg
conceals the strength of your thigh,
I lean in close to hear your voice—
quiet as dandelion seeds in autumn
with words powerful as a storm.
Hand in hand, enjoying your perfume,
your mouth and eyes straighten,
no longer curved like the rest of you.
I don’t want to relax my grip
but know I can’t clutch onto my desire
without losing that which I hold most dear.
Yes Man
I was the teacher’s pet
not because of my smarts
but because of my charm,
smooth chocolate compliments
and precision tattling.
I knew which bully to befriend
for much-needed protection
and when to stab him in the back
then upgrade to a bigger model.
There will always be men
who think they’re great
and need little guys,
like me, to confirm
their awesomeness.
~~~
Bartholomew Barker is an organizer of Living Poetry, a collection of poets in the Triangle region of North Carolina. His first poetry collection, Wednesday Night Regular, written in strip clubs, was published in 2013. His second, Milkshakes and Chilidogs, a chapbook of food-inspired poetry was served in 2017. www.bartbarkerpoet.com
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#TheShortofIt
Do you…
save meaningful mementos from the people and things you love
or hoard objects that may eventually become useful
widen your mouth into a smile when you see your joy
or walk right on by, indifferent
thoughtfully phrase your worries
or blurt out your hurts
dance in the grocery aisles
or remain stoic doing the mundane
laugh unabashedly
or throttle it down, embarrassed
let the dust pile on while you enjoy life
or frantically control your environment
get wounded easily
or have a breastplate made of steel
shamelessly sing loudly
or slowly build into your confident voice
delicately and carefully plod through life unnoticed
or pronounce yourself a bull in the china shop
take a hard hit in times of crisis
or get surrounded by those looking up at you when they do
share the coolest, latest things with friends
or find yourself at a loss when life changes
understand you can’t know everything
or act the fool who thinks they do
think all the time
or feeling blank most of the time
just hate some people
or only love all
Just a few things I was wondering…
What’s your take-away? This piece struck a chord for me but I was wondering if you felt the same. Please comment!
It took losing
everything,
to come to the conclusion
that I am an illusion
and we’ve always had
— from the beginning —
everything
to gain.
Male Persona
By definition
Way above neanderthal
Refined, caring, sweet
Work Persona
His face a facade
A work ethic to behold
Inside a failure
Artist Persona
A Prolific Man
He can be misunderstood
Never giving up
Matt Snyder is a Northeastern Pennsylvanian multidisciplined artist/writer that has been in the game since 1988. He can be found blogging art at A Prolific Potpourri, photography at 365 SCBW and as arts editor at The Finest Example of…
If you’d like to be featured on The Short of It, click here for the submissions guidelines.
#TheShortofIt
this need for silence
where solace is found
oft leads to introspection
and homeostasis
a select few
can pass the walls
which protect
the emerging strength
when charged and available again
the world a playground
selecting longevity
in a world designed to ambush
but when it’s all too much
i’ll retreat again
to the cocoon
of my salvation
Inspired by Sadje’s What do you see? #16 2/10/2020
imperceptible
essence undetectable
exposed by nature
#Whatdoyousee
You are not funny, but you sure are a joke.
I Write Her 