This prompt has been scheduled to post at the moment of the December Solstice, the start of winter for the Northern Hemisphere, where most of Living Poetry resides, so this week let’s write a yule poem. Write about the shortest day, longest night. Write about the ancient traditions of yule logs or wassailing. Write about whatever you love or hate about the holidays associated with the winter solstice and post them in the comments below. Happy Whatever!
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.
Living Poetry 
Walking away from high cold,
Loving the coffee, desire to meet my loved ones
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Posted by Chhotes | December 21, 2020, 7:51 AMNice, warming thoughts.
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | December 21, 2020, 2:06 PMVery nice. Thanks for sharing!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | December 21, 2020, 6:09 PMBurning of the Yule Log
This past year, the worst of our lifetime
caused a fierce struggle every day for many
‘tis time to end the darkest year by honoring
the oldest tradition in the history of the world
Ancient Pagans created it to soothe our souls
find a hefty log of forest near to you, drag it home
on this black of night, build a bonfire to cast it upon
or burn the Yule Log this shortest day and longest night,
in the fireplace, creating brilliant flashes of light, carry it
to the new year, blessing it with bright beginning, a promise
toss sage leaves into the fire, cleanse the air, cast out evil spirits
whisper prayers of hope and good luck for those in your realm
know darkness will leave us; long days of sunshine are coming.
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Posted by purplestoneblog | December 21, 2020, 11:26 AMNice ideas to burn away the rot and bring about a cleanse. I will try this in spirit.
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | December 21, 2020, 2:05 PMExcellent. Happy Solstice!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | December 21, 2020, 6:12 PMwe speak of yule
immediately Euell
Gibbons–that is
comes to mind
pine needles
“some parts are edible, you know”
famous words
too bad
he dies so young
to this day
pine needles bring back thoughts
of Yuell
and a time
when it was just that real
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | December 21, 2020, 2:08 PMHa! I hadn’t made that connection. Well done.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | December 21, 2020, 6:14 PMI can’t help thinking of those puns either~
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Posted by larry trasciatti | December 22, 2020, 4:27 PMToday was as short as a mayfly’s lifespan.
Tonight will be as long as voting lines in Georgia.
Flick your Bic and set fire to a trump hotel
Whatever it takes to get thru to other side.
And welcome the Sun again.
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Posted by JeanMarie | December 21, 2020, 5:40 PMLove the similes! We’re halfway out of the dark.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | December 21, 2020, 6:17 PMSun most welcome as is 2021! Nicely done. A Mayfly’s lifespan brings back memories of the stinky ones from the Mississippi River. Oh to shorten them some more.
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | December 22, 2020, 5:19 PMI have never seen
the winds stilled
and kingfishers nest
on a calmed sea
but I have watched the sun
stand still at its nadir
still blazing
like an eponymous conure
wings take flight
from this terrible year
there will never be
another one like it
but isn’t that true every year
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Posted by Chris Clarke | December 21, 2020, 6:34 PMVery nice. Let’s hope next year is better.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | December 21, 2020, 6:37 PMLovely poem
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Posted by JeanMarie | December 22, 2020, 9:41 AMI so hope it ends soon
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Posted by larry trasciatti | December 22, 2020, 4:26 PMLet’s hope.
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | December 22, 2020, 5:20 PMPosted mine to my blog: https://bartbarkerpoet.com/2020/12/21/winter-solstice-sonnet/
I’ve lived where the solstice air
freezes onto my mustache…
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | December 21, 2020, 9:17 PMand you would let it do so again to have another view of the planets!
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | December 22, 2020, 5:21 PMAbsolutely! Jupiter and Saturn are still cuddling beautifully in the twilight sky.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | December 22, 2020, 6:09 PMI like that! “Cuddling together in the twilight sky.”
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Posted by Lisa Tomey | December 24, 2020, 10:40 AM