a few weeks ago, i had the pleasure of interviewing a professor at the university of texas at san antonio.

that same institution to which i’d run in the months following the demise of a relationship with the only man who’s ever really mattered to me (he mattered too much, which terrified me, and i didn’t matter enough, which i knew… and so the thing was doomed to fail) and the cessation of my employment at borders (turns out i’d had the sense to jump ship before the thing sank) and the months prior to the death of my older brother.

to this day, i want to weep with the gratitude that i had that place to turn–i made wonderful friends there, and i learned from some of the most incredible professors i’ve had the privilege to know. i’d not been blessed to know barker–not until the other day. she’d been invited to speak at the small college here in town, to read her poetry. i’d been tasked with writing an article advancing the event. i sent her questions; she sent me answers.

i’d never read her work until a few weeks ago. she’d written a poem called color analysis. here are some excerpts that resonated with me: