This far from the equator
the sky is shades of grey
clouds drifting from the firth
or the solstice sun drowsing
just below the horizon
for only a few hours
I am reminded of the injustice
of being sent to bed on summer evenings
while it was still light and hearing
older boys playing baseball outside
eyes laying open despite drawn curtains
that glow through the shortest night
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 
And here in Geelong it’s our Winter Solstice Bart 😊🌏😎
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Enjoy the dark, Ivor!
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And It’s COLD
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That is a precious memory and cute comparison! Reminds me of AK. Enjoy and safe travels.
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Thanks, Michele! I definitely enjoy winter solstices more than summers.
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You’re welcome. A few hours of sunlight is strange, but the sleep is better sleep that’s for sure!
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I know the feeling…. https://theorkneynews.scot/2021/06/04/poetry-corner-bed-in-summer-2/
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You know even better than I, being much further north for some much longer. Nice Stevenson poem in your link. I was just at the Writers’ Museum where he’s one of the three featured.
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I had the same experience as a child. :)
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I was hoping that’d be more-or-less universal. Thanks for the confirmation.
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Great!!!
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Grazie mille, Luisa!
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🙏🩷🙏
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Yes, I remember that, too!
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The only downside of summer.
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