Poem: Stop Being So Nice

Photo by Brenda Timmermans on Pexels.com

Kindly disposed
I blunder into scams and swindles.
Look, I wouldn’t wish to demonise wolves
for merely following their instinct to survive;
and I shall be a sheep no more.
Let’s say it how it is and I will respond in kind,
without kind words and flattery.
Put simply, I asked you to do something,
so would you be so kind as to complete it?

Copyright Francis Barker 2020

Poem ‘Girl with a Cello’

Girl with a Cello

In a diamond city night we’re
taxied through floodlit streets

angled snow alabasters old facades
medieval histories beyond all guessing

Flanders is frozen outside this misted glass
the two of us sitting nose to nose

our tongues loosening aperitif smiles
white burgundy cutting through brie

making heads light and cheeks flush
and toe touch toe

Our eyes meet when bare soul strokes calf
kissing slim fingers one by one

plied each day to taut cello strings
sneak previews to plots and suites of night

© copyright francis barker 2012

Haiku: Light and Dark

Photo by Tom Barrett

Haiku copyright Francis Barker 2020

Haiku: See For Yourself

Picture by Isaac Davis

Haiku copyright Francis Barker 2020

Haiku: No Destination

Photo by Dino Reichmuth

Haiku copyright Francis Barker 2020