Winter Begins
We’re all in trouble if the Sun
keeps sinking earlier and rising later
No thaw in the Earth— no planting in spring
no harvest in autumn just a night with no dawn
Snow piles higher— rivers freeze to their beds
and the atmosphere shivers solid
Leaving our icicles around the final embers
of the fire we lit tonight to entice the prodigal sun
Back to the sky
First published at Whispers & Echoes a year ago. Happy Solstice!
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.
Bartholomew Barker, Poet 
I remember this one. Well done. Except… isn’t it the glaciers that are melting, and not the rivers freezing? Oh wait. This is poetry, not science class. :)
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That’s right!
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“atmosphere shivers solid,” sold me..
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Thank you, sir!
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This one is morbidly beautiful Bartholomew! But, wonderful and so crisp! 😊
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Thank you, Gypsie. Hope you stay warm this very cold weekend ahead.
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You as well. So long as our electric lines stay up, all should be fine! Thank you! 🥶
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I think we’re through the worst wind so I’m hoping for fully powered Christmas weekend.
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I didn’t lose power but many outside my little eclectic neighborhood did. Glad you are staying warm too! How’s the cold? I’m still sniffling but worst of flu is finally over. C’est la vie!
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I’ve conquered that viral invasion. Still the occasional cough but back to normal.
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I am enjoying my southern hemisphere summer of hot days and warm nights Bart …
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You could write the opposite poem, imagining the sun never setting.
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Altought I do like our silvery Moon too Bart .. he knows all the secrets of the night
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How interesting. I always think of the Moon as feminine.
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Hmmm maybe I’ve been by myself for too long
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Whoops … I happen to listening to “Lake of Tears” music this morning
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what a brilliant and sad poem…rivers freeze to their bed!
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Thank you!
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Such a stunning and savvy write!👍 ☘️Shrewd poetic insights and visionary creativity permeated each line…
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You flatter me but I thank you none the less.
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I sent this out to folk, yesterday….
“Solstice Greetings….wherever you are……
http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16065
Here comes the sun……
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A little bit earlier each day for the next six months.
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