Candles in the Windows

Posted on 2023-12-18 by Bartholomew Barker

I miss the fire dancing in the draft,
the musty smell of melting wax
and the snuff of the brass bell
as smoke swirls up into the dark.

These fraudulent lights
won’t burn the house down
or hurt curious little fingers.

So this December let’s brighten
our time, strike a match and place
glorious, dangerous candles
in the windows for our friends.

(In collaboration with my friends at Charles House after we read a bunch of holiday poems including Little Tree by e. e. cummings, Taking Down the Tree by Jane Kenyon and Christmas Mail by Ted Kooser.)

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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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33 Responses to Candles in the Windows

  1. equipsblog's avatar equipsblog says:
    2023-12-18 at 19:34

    Lovely poem and imagery.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  2. ryetursblog.wordpress.com's avatar ryetursblog.wordpress.com says:
    2023-12-18 at 20:11

    Wonderful poem ✍️✍️✍️✍️✍️

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  3. Pingback: Bartholomew Barker Poem – ryetursblog's Blog

  4. Michele Lee's avatar Michele Lee says:
    2023-12-18 at 20:19

    I will light one for you! 🕯️Really enjoyed this! 🙏🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. yourplateormine967244485's avatar yourplateormine967244485 says:
    2023-12-18 at 22:17

    I love your poem and its sentiment and request!
    Candle light is the best and one of the most beautiful sights for me. 🕯️✨

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. berniebell1955's avatar berniebell1955 says:
    2023-12-19 at 03:55

    “fraudulent lights”…nice one!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. berniebell1955's avatar berniebell1955 says:
    2023-12-19 at 04:01

    We have a candle-holder on our kitchen window-sill in which we have a T-light which we light when we hear that someone we connect with has passed from this life. The last time it was lit was for Benjamin Zephania…

    http://www.spanglefish.com/berniesblog/blog.asp?blogid=16605

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. luisa zambrotta's avatar luisa zambrotta says:
    2023-12-19 at 05:37

    Beautiful poem!
    I will light a candle, too, and place it near a window🕯️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. JeanMarie's avatar JeanMarie says:
    2023-12-19 at 13:19

    Nice work. I also like the inspiration poems you linked to.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. MsHazyBrain's avatar MsHazyBrain says:
    2023-12-21 at 01:55

    Beautiful poem

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Anuran & Sayoni's avatar Anuran & Sayoni says:
    2023-12-24 at 03:37

    The light from a candle is resplendent. The poem is beautifully written.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. klekie's avatar Kate says:
    2023-12-30 at 23:45

    Nothing wrong with a bit of danger. 😉
    Lovely sentiments expressed.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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