A Tree in Winter

Posted on 2021-08-09 by Bartholomew Barker

This afternoon I spent some time with the good folks at Charles House. I’ve been visiting there more-or-less monthly for the past five years. Today’s topic was tree poetry. Among the poems I shared were Winter Trees by William Carlos Williams, Robert Frost’s Birches and, of course, Trees by Joyce Kilmer. Then we collaborated on a brand new poem which I present here.

A Tree in Winter

The storm coated me in ice
my fingers — my arms — my trunk
tinkling in the wind
I feel my burdened branches bow
slouching under the weight

If this wind doesn’t wane
I may fall and if I fall
let it sing a symphony
my grand finale a frozen
crescendo of glitterful glory

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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.
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8 Responses to A Tree in Winter

  1. ivor20's avatar ivor20 says:
    2021-08-09 at 20:08

    Oh .. please don’t fall ..

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  2. JeanMarie's avatar JeanMarie says:
    2021-08-09 at 22:16

    Lovely poem! And thanks for the bonus poem links too.

    Liked by 1 person

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  3. Lisa Tomey-Zonneveld's avatar Lisa Tomey says:
    2021-08-10 at 07:27

    This poem has star quality. It sparkles. :)

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