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The Sun Over the Hollers

Light After the Long Winter

By Tim CarmichaelPublished about 2 hours ago β€’ 1 min read

The sun spills over the hills like a broken jar of honey,

staining the world in a bright, sudden glow.

The heavy sleep of the land is over.

Where the ground was hard and dark,

a sharp, new life pushes through the soil,

searching for the warmth of a clear sky.

I stand in the open field

and feel the pulse of the earth

rising to meet my breath.

🌷

Everything I carried through the long, cold months

falls away like a coat no longer needed.

The grief that felt so solid,

shattering now within my spirit,

dissolves in the wash of this brilliant morning.

🌷

The redbird moves through the wet grass,

a small fire against the damp earth,

while wild birds I have never seen

fling their music into the wide, deep space above.

🌷

There is no need for words or reasons.

The beauty of the day is enough to break

the last of the ice around my heart.

🌷

I watch the light run down the steep mountains,

chasing the shadows into the hollers,

until everything is radiant and new.

The morning is a wild, strange gift,

and I am lost in the glory of its coming.

Free Versenature poetry

About the Creator

Tim Carmichael

I am an Appalachian poet and cookbook author. I write about rural life, family, and the places I grew up around. My poetry and essays have appeared in Beautiful and Brutal Things, My latest book. Check it out on Amazon

https://a.co/d/537XqhW

Reader insights

Outstanding

Excellent work. Looking forward to reading more!

Top insights

  1. Compelling and original writing

    Creative use of language & vocab

  2. Easy to read and follow

    Well-structured & engaging content

  3. Excellent storytelling

    Original narrative & well developed characters

  1. Eye opening

    Niche topic & fresh perspectives

  2. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (2)

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  • Silver Dauxabout an hour ago

    Sheesh, this is gorgeous. Really, really gorgeous. I loved how warm this poem felt, like the beginning of spring! The image of the sun like a broken jar of honey and the stanza about the redbird are stellar. Loved this!

  • Matthew J. Frommabout 2 hours ago

    G’damn you’re such a good poet

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