Still
We awake to whiteness,
standing still to take it in,
like nothing will ever move again.
A few footprints in the snow,
silent records of an earlier day.
You say this is how it should be,
our minds lost in books, our dreams,
stretching out in listless days
and long nights. I yawn down
the stairs to click on the kettle,
soothed before a misting window
by the straight-falling flakes.
© copyright David Francis Barker 2011
First published in poetry collection ‘Anonymous Lines’ available at:
*If you are having a Christmas break, have a peaceful one
** Many thanks to all of those who have read or commented on this blog. I am very grateful.
Ciscography 
🙂 The way Christmas should be! That stillness when you wake up and you know there is snow before you open your eyes, just from the absence of sound… Lovely! And this poem is beautiful too.
Merry Christmas to you David!
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…and Merry Christmas to you and your family, too. Thank you for comments.
*Should you need them, I will have some more ‘sea’ poems for your other blog soon.
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Lovely, you captured the mood snow creates so well. Happy holidays.
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A very warm poem and lovely poem David. I enjoy the calm it brought to my morning as I read. And thanks for following my blog. I appreciate it. I like your painting style as well. It is quite beautiful with a simplicity that allows the viewer to immerse himself or herself completely. I see a little of my digital work in some. Check out my “Impressions of Barbados” series under the nature tag. I think you might like my “impressionisitic” view of the island…
Walter
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‘standing still to take it in,
like nothing will ever move again’
This is what I love about winter, especially when it snows. It encourages pauses and awareness…
A lovely look at a moment or two in the season.
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I love how cozy and homey this poem is.
Your paintings are refreshing and calming. They’re the kind I would love to hang on my wall, to be quite honest.
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like a breath of fresh air.
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You never disappoint, David. Full of beautiful lines as silent and profound as the snowfall. Have a peaceful and happy Christmas.
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Beautiful poem, David! (And I love the painting that goes with it.) I too love that stillness of a snowy morning – each line is lovely!
A very Merry Christmas to you and yours. 🙂
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I love the beauty and honesty in your writing. Your words are the kind that the reader wants to sip like hot tea savoring the aroma and warmth
thanks for your visit and kindness
Merry Christmas
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P.S. Your art is magnificient
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Your poems are well crafted and good to cosy up to,. I like them very much, but I just cannot find words to say how much I like your paintings. I’m not even sure what quality it is, but they have something that affects me profoundly. Makes me shiver slightly, though I find it diifficult to drag myself away from them. I find them quite exceptional.
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Tight, powerful, important writing. I envy you and your mastery of language! You have such skill, never doubt that, and trust me and all your other admirers, you deserve every bit of praise given to you!
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Louse – thank you very much!
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First off, the painting is magnificent…the colors just pop, but at the same time suit the muted mood of this poem perfectly. Love the poem as well, it’s soft but almost mournful at the same time. Wonderful portrait of a moment, but I do sense some depth of feeling stirring below the surface.
Happy Holidays, David!
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Lovely poem illustrating a beautiful painting…or is it the other way around? Which comes first, the painting or the poem?
Have a great holiday.
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D.F., such a heartbreakingly beautiful painting that is so chilly! No wonder you were yawning on stairs, yet soothed by straight-falling flakes viewed through a misting window. Wonderful full-bodied images captured in so few words!
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So lovely–and as blue is my Fave color, I couldn’t help but be very keen on the painting!!
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Snow doesn’t fall where we live, so you just delivered it to us! Thank you, David, for your lovely words, imagery and your captivating painting~
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Thank you again! Well, I don’t think I have any set rule, but usually the words come first, although of late there have been a few where words come out in response to an image.
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I have never experienced a White Christmas, but you give me a little sense of it. Your choice of art to accompany the poem is really interesting. You are so very talented! I am so refreshed for having stopped by! Christmas blessings to you, Debra
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thank you for following 🙂 you have beautiful poems 🙂
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I am looking forward to them! Thank you! 🙂
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A very vivid image of snow in winter. Beautiful.
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beautiful piece… I saw the painting in your words
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happy holidays
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I’m giving you the Kreativ Blogger Award. For details you can just check out the newest post on my site. But of course, your wonderful work should attract much praise and attention.
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lovely piece and paintings…
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Wonderful work David, both your painting and poetry! Have a magnificent New Year!
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Hi, I am very, very grateful to you for taking the time to read my poems, but I will have to decline your kind nomination at the present time. Thank you so much!
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I like that even the wind is still in this poem. Very serene.
Red.
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Beautiful imagery. I glanced through some of the comments and they seem to have nailed it. A great calming affect to your poem as well as picture. You are very talented. Thank you for following my blog and I look forward to reading- and viewing- more of your future work.
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Very evocative. I live in Australia and I had my only white christmas 3 years ago in Boston. The soft, white silence I will never forget.
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This poem is so evocative of winter and our joy at being inside during cold weather so that we can click on a kettle and start our day that I feel as if I should be able to sing paintings into the world with all the skill of David Francis Barker.
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Lovely.
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