In about seven hours, the September equinox occurs so let’s write a poem to celebrate. If you’re in the Southern hemisphere, spring arrives. For those of us in the North, autumn is here. Everyone can write about this moment of balance when days and nights are equal and we’re spinning in the same plane as we’re orbiting the sun. Change is coming fast, so post your poem in the comments below.
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.
Autumn equinox
lifts me out of my doldrums,
sets me on my course.
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Posted by Sunra Rainz | September 22, 2025, 11:43 AMA lovely haiku for autumn. Thanks for sharing, Sunny!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 22, 2025, 7:27 PMAutumn Dream
Leaves dress up in lipstick red and lemon gold to dance in wind that chills the bones. One by one, leaves kiss the ground, goodbye to summer’s blooms. Too soon, the leaves will crinkle brown and crumble to the touch. Autumn isn’t long enough to tire of time that turns to ash in fireplaces, not long enough to pull out sweaters hidden from the heat. I’d like more days of sun that slants and sleeps in teacups cooling in my hands. Autumn is a dream that ends in white.
Too soon
I’ll wake
to flakes of snow.
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Posted by crazy4yarn2 | September 22, 2025, 11:54 AMWow! Great imagery and color. Excellent work!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 22, 2025, 7:31 PMThanks, Bartholomew! I love fall.
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Posted by crazy4yarn2 | September 22, 2025, 7:44 PM“sun that slants and sleeps in teacups” – adore. Love this whole write 👌
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Posted by Sunra Rainz | September 22, 2025, 7:32 PMThank you so much, Sunra!
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Posted by crazy4yarn2 | September 22, 2025, 7:45 PMYou’re welcome!
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Posted by Sunra Rainz | September 22, 2025, 8:15 PMhere is my post
https://lisaapaul.home.blog/2025/09/22/september-equinox/
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Posted by lisaapaul | September 22, 2025, 12:45 PMDelightful! I especially liked the “You show us the glory of dying” line. Thanks for sharing, Lisa!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 22, 2025, 7:36 PMautumn rules
with colorful leaves
pleasing views
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Posted by rugby843 | September 22, 2025, 1:53 PMVery nice little haiku with an interesting verb in the first line. Thanks for sharing!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 22, 2025, 7:41 PMLovely haiku!
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Posted by crazy4yarn2 | September 22, 2025, 7:45 PMHere’s mine:
https://bartbarkerpoet.com/2025/09/22/autumnal-equinox-2025/
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 22, 2025, 8:55 PMThe human condition
Ancient people marked the equinox
With stones and angles and geometry
Hoping food gathered in the sun
Would see them through winter
WIthout getting too Lean
I wait for the county
To suction money from my savings
It keeps the roof over our heads
Through the winter
but leaves the savings too Lean
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Posted by Second Act Blogger | September 22, 2025, 9:03 PMNothing is certain but equinoxes and taxes. Thanks for sharing, Cathy!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 22, 2025, 10:17 PMFall y’all
The heat and humidity of summer sucks the life from my very soul.
Like a tick on a dog, draining my life force is its goal.
Day in and day out.
It’s enough to make this girl pout.
Heat.
Humidity.
Humidity.
Heat.
Everyday is on repeat.
But fall.
Oh, but FALL.
Lower humidity. Cool, crisp air.
What a pair!
Leaves change color.
Pumpkin spice,
it’s so nice.
I think I might like fall
best of all.
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Posted by Chico’s Mom | September 23, 2025, 12:12 PMLovely! I especially like the tick metaphor. Well done, Jolene!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 23, 2025, 6:43 PMThank you 💕
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Posted by Chico’s Mom | September 23, 2025, 7:45 PMThanks for the prompt😊https://poetisatinta.wordpress.com/2025/09/23/the-edge-of-equinox/
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Posted by poetisatinta | September 23, 2025, 5:16 PMThanks for sharing!
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 23, 2025, 6:49 PM😃
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Posted by poetisatinta | September 24, 2025, 4:41 AMAsymmetric Monday
“It’s Equinox” you say. Voice
flat with vague disinterest.
Naked (except your glasses)
beneath white sheets. Too warm
still for cozy blankets and
other hints of the season.
I prefer asymmetry,
but hold the thought in silence.
Solstice, or any old day,
to this false equality.
This summer to Autumn shift.
I turn, off to start my day.
Your hand, firm, takes my knee. I
pause. For the first time. Maybe?
Thirteen years. Suddenly clear.
Glasses. Hair. Beard. Symmetry.
Even your voice. Indifferent.
Flat. I flood with resignation.
Or regret. I prefer a-
symmetry. But hold the thought
in soft Autumnal silence.
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Posted by Ginger T | September 26, 2025, 8:13 AMWow. Powerful stuff, Ginger! Thanks for sharing.
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Posted by Bartholomew Barker | September 26, 2025, 9:55 PM