Poetry International Poetry International
Gedicht

Jean Bleakney

WINTER SOLSTICE

WINTER SOLSTICE

WINTER SOLSTICE

Wiry and headstrong in life, so in death,
the bleached stems of harebells
- unflappable as marram grass -
outstare this sun, these easterlies.
At every branchlet’s pendant tip,
the vestigial ribs of a seed capsule
(bell-like, a birdcage in miniature)
accumulate and vitrify a water droplet.


Hence this platinum-wired gem tree
gathering December light, dispensing it;
a crystal-chandelier Adventist
illuminating, galvanising, rather,
its weedy, slug-pearled patch
of lavender and fallen harebell seeds;
igniting, with each icy tug,
summer’s metaphorical touchpaper.
Jean Bleakney

Jean Bleakney

(Verenigd Koninkrijk, 1956)

Landen

Ontdek andere dichters en gedichten uit Verenigd Koninkrijk

Gedichten Dichters

Talen

Ontdek andere dichters en gedichten in het Engels

Gedichten Dichters
Close

WINTER SOLSTICE

Wiry and headstrong in life, so in death,
the bleached stems of harebells
- unflappable as marram grass -
outstare this sun, these easterlies.
At every branchlet’s pendant tip,
the vestigial ribs of a seed capsule
(bell-like, a birdcage in miniature)
accumulate and vitrify a water droplet.


Hence this platinum-wired gem tree
gathering December light, dispensing it;
a crystal-chandelier Adventist
illuminating, galvanising, rather,
its weedy, slug-pearled patch
of lavender and fallen harebell seeds;
igniting, with each icy tug,
summer’s metaphorical touchpaper.

WINTER SOLSTICE

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère