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At Solstice

Posted Mar 11, 2026 · 55 lines · 3 critiques

The sun pauses
like it’s looking straight at me,
like even light knows
when to hesitate
before pretending everything is fine.

A deer at the edge of the trees
doesn’t posture.
Doesn’t explain.
Doesn’t soften itself
to be more acceptable.

It just stands there
fully itself,
which somehow feels
like an accusation.

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Light stretches across the meadow,
touches leaves, stones,
whatever doesn’t flinch.
Warms what it finds
without asking
what I believe,
or whether I deserve it.

Nothing is explained.
Everything is offered.

The birds go on being birds.
No mission statement.
No optimization.
No brand strategy.

Just breath
and the audacity
to take up air.

The river keeps its promises
by moving on,
which sounds simple
until you try it
with grief,
with rage.

I am standing here
with empty hands
and I am done
calling that a failure.

I am listening,
not for answers,
but for the sound
of the world
continuing
without consulting me.

This isn’t a victory.
This isn’t surrender.
It’s a turning.

So I stay.
Not to understand.
To witness.

And I notice
how the day
lets go.

Michael Hawk’s timeline

March 2026
31 Tue

Contest commendation
03/26 New Member Contest

with "At Solstice".
31 Tue

First contest commendation
03/26 New Member Contest

with the poem "At Solstice".
19 Thu

New follower
@Clentin
16 Mon

Received a critique
on At Solstice from @Lavender
"Hello! Both winter and summer solstice are mesmerizing events. Nature moves on quietly and does its own thing, no matter what state of mind or body we are experiencing at the time - and we could learn so much from that…"
13 Fri

Received a critique
on At Solstice from @Rula
"Hello I think this is the first time to meet so hello and nice to read a new pen mate. I like this one as it feels like it is effortlessly written. Don't get me wrong. I mean it reads like a free bird. I would like to r…"
11 Wed

First publication
At Solstice
11 Wed

Posted a poem
At Solstice
"The sun pauses"
Open thread 55 lines
11 Wed

Joined Neopoet
Membership begins

First poem published 1 days later.

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