“Looking for Joseph Barrett” by Matthew Haughton

“this morning the world is buying flowers for all the right reasons…” 
-Joseph Barrett

It is breezy out there,
the branches
cast shadows
over the grass,
while the wind
itself fills my ears.
There is no mistake
to be made
in these troubled
times,
the trees
are not the only
things
to cast temporary
shadows
against the grass.

In a few minutes
I’ll be crossing
over Limestone,
and watching
to see
if I find
Joseph Barrett
out there,
even though
I’ve never
seen a picture
of him.

All I have
is one of his poems,
where he speaks
of crossing
Limestone,
when his tie
blows wildly
and he whistles,

despite himself.

Joseph wasn’t long
for this world,
but he lived here
in Lexington,
for a time.

And he spoke
with love
in his heart
for this street,
so I expect
to see him most
days,
coming out
from one
of those shops,
perhaps
The Paisley Peacock,
even though
it has long
sense shut its doors.

Maybe that street
is full
of many ghosts,
some known
to me,
others unnamed,
all crossing
along with Joseph
on this
windy little day.

I have
love in my heart
for them all,
for Joseph questioning
the wisdom
for whistling,
knowing too well
that mortality is near.

28 thoughts on ““Looking for Joseph Barrett” by Matthew Haughton

  1. matthew haughton

    thanks guys, i came across Joe Barrett’s poetry in an anthology edited by Marita Garin, and just love what little i have read. He has this great poem about being on limestone in lexington, and feeling connected to the wonderful things of this world, while knowing there is something fleeting at the same time. difficult to describe here, but it is a great poem, one that i have taught several times. but whenever i think of limestone across from campus, i think of joe barrett. the poem needs a little work, but it is one ive wanted to write for many years now.

    Reply
  2. Terry Leffel

    Matthew, speaking a bit for Joe, he would have been proud but seldom humbled too hear of your experience with a few of his words and of course, to have been appreciated for the poet he was. I have a couple of issues of ” Old Martin New Strings” a trilogy by Joe, Bob Snyder and Pete Laska. Glad to send you a copy to keep you inspired.

    Reply
  3. Joan Barrett McCracken McAnany

    Matthew, I want to thank you for your beautiful poem “looking for Joseph Barrett”. I know he would be so pleased. I will let Peter Laska and Kirk Judd know about your poem. I must published his last manuscript,,, .

    Reply
    1. Tom Middleton

      Joanie! This is Tom Middleton. Somehow I lost track of you over the years. I got up out of bed this early morning because I was thinking of you for some reason. Please contact me so we may catch up.

      Reply
  4. Terry

    Joanie is this Middleton the Cowboy? If so you are a hero o= Tom”. like
    John Russell. Joanie let me know!

    Reply
  5. Terry

    Middleton< Barrett told me a story of you playing random guitar with McCartney;on a lonely road in a foreign land, which I tend to believe. Nice and i miss my friend

    Reply
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