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The Sun Over the Hollers

Light After the Long Winter

By Tim CarmichaelPublished 3 days ago 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 (6)

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  • Sandy Gillman3 days ago

    Beautiful imagery. I could see the whole scene, especially the sun spilling like a broken jar of honey :-)

  • Tiffany Gordon3 days ago

    Captivating, uplifting & Magnificent! Go Tim! 💪🏾

  • John R. Godwin3 days ago

    Gives a warm feeling when you read it. My favorite lines were the first and the last. Just beautiful work Tim. Great job.

  • Magma Star3 days ago

    "Stunning! The image of the sun like a broken jar of honey is unforgettable. This poem celebrates new beginnings in the most beautiful way. Thank you for sharing this moment of pure joy and light—it’s exactly what we all need to 'shed the old coats' of the past."

  • Silver Daux3 days 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!

  • G’damn you’re such a good poet

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