solitaire dance 

not a waltz, 

nor ballet,

no jitterbug 

or tap,

ours a minuet, 

tiny steps 

            in a solitaire dance 

             of love.

Color enhanced photo(c)2009  by R. Burnett Baker 

Poem from chapbook titled "Slipping Quietly" (c)2006, R. Burnett Baker

clock glows

arctic winds taunt 

beyond window panes 

an alarm clock 

glows amber midnight 

safely beside my bed. 

Photo and poem (c)2009 by R. Burnett Baker

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Wind Sun Snow

_____________________________________________
wind sun snow 

my breath cloud 

rides 

on frozen  wind 

warmth 

clings 

to winter's  sun

fearful of 

the virgin 

snow. 

Photo taken in Highland Park, Rochester, NY 

January, 2009. 

Photo and poem (c)2009 by R. Burnett Baker

Behold Beauty

behold

behold beauty: 

an unblemished 

field of snow. 

behold avarice: 

an open wound 

of footprints 

desperate

on the horizon. 

Photo and poem (c)2009 by R. Burnett  Baker

Footprints Waiting

footprints waiting 

along a snow-quilted street 

walks a lone figure, 

footprints waiting 

to be filled again. 

Mono print by Ina Jean Garner, 1994

Poem (c)2008 by R. Burnett Baker

_________________________________________________________________

Sanctuary

sanctuary 

sanctuary again 
          in bed
          in sleep
          inside silence

my bedroom door 
the aegis from 
life, damned life. 


© 2008 Rick Burnett Baker

WINTER HOLDS FAST

It's winter and it's holding fast.  Perhaps beginning this poetry blog now is appropriate since there isn't really much of anything about the season I like.  growing up in the sub-tropics and living and working along the equator for more than a decade has conditioned me to fair weather activities.  I don't enjoy being outdoors in winter with my eyes burning cold and snot freezing on my upper lip.  

I'm not too fond of being holed up indoors for so many months of the year either, but I'll stay put for a few more weeks.  This beginning series of poems represents my aversion to the season, in all its stunning beauty and agony. 

Rick Burnett Baker 

February 2009 

Photo (c)2009 by R. Burnett Baker