Samheim

Poet's Notes

(Show)

Become a Premium Member and post notes and photos about your poem like Sara Etgen-Baker.

From TwinklePlace.com

Samhain is a Gaelic festival on 1 November marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or "darker half" of the year. It is also the Irish language name for November. Celebrations begin on the evening of 31 October, since the Celtic day began and ended at sunset. This is about halfway between the autumnal equinox and winter solstice. (Information courtesy of wikipedia.com)

the season of death begins summer’s fertile fields give way to barren land crops die winter will soon take over we look within seeking balance between our darkness and light transition of season increases intuition perfect time to honor the departed In the Southern Hemisphere, in places like Australia and New Zealand, is Samhain that is celebrated on 1st May. The fields are bare, the leaves have fallen from the trees, and the skies are going gray and cold. It is the time of year when the earth has died and gone dormant. Every year on May 1, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere the Sabbat we call Samhain presents us with the opportunity to once more celebrate the cycle of death and rebirth, an acknowledgement that without death, there can be no rebirth. Samhain is a time to reconnect with our ancestors, and honor those who have died. This is the time when the veil between our world and the spirit realm is thin, so it's the perfect time of year for making contact with the dead. (Wikipedia.com)

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Ink Empress

Date: 10/31/2023 9:15:00 PM

I always thought samhain is celebrated by pagans, i have a soul sister who is pagan, and she tells me so much about samhain and how it works, its fascinating to learn and listen to. You’ve really written a very insightful post here with facts about samhain, i recently wrote a poem about witches and mentioned it and funny so many questioned what does Samhain mean. I hope many will now know reading yours! And your poem, must i praise and highlight how beautifully your words flow? Fave definitely

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 11/1/2023 4:04:00 AM

ahhh...thanks for your lovely words, dearest Ink. I was hoping my poem wouldn't offend anyone. I'm grateful for you sharing with me about your soul sister and for faving my poem. I didn't know much about Samheim/Day of the Dead until I lived and taught in El Paso. Celebrating Day of the Dead is such a strong part of the Hispanic culture. I credit my students for telling me so much. Have a pleasant day, hugs, Sara

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/31/2023 7:09:00 PM

I think the pagans had a lot of great understanding of nature. It's so great that we got Halloween traditions partly from things they enjoyed (even if we do those things for different reasins). Nice info about it being also celebrated in May.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 11/1/2023 4:10:00 AM

lovely insights and comments, Andrea. Thanks for your positive words...your support means much to mean. Enjoy your day, Sara

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 10/31/2023 6:25:00 PM

May we connect with respect and honor with loving memory too, nice poem Sara well documented and fluently written :)

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 11/1/2023 4:10:00 AM

thank you for your visit. Your words were kind, thoughtful and respectful. I appreciate you and have a pleasant day, Sara

Sotto Poet

Date: 10/31/2023 6:07:00 PM

Dear Sara, This profound poem delves into the profound emotions and contemplations surrounding mortality. Winter, as you have articulated, represents a somber period when a significant number of individuals, particularly the elderly, pass away. How this remarkable composition is penned has evoked a profound emotional response within me. The haunting sorrow and splendor of this piece resemble a reverie, enveloped in motifs of longing and profound affection, symbolically inscribed in the celestial heavens.

Sara Etgen-Baker
Date: 11/1/2023 4:13:00 AM

dearest Sotto--your comments are deep and mindful. I appreciate your insights. Yes, winter is a somber time, a time in which many elderly pass away. I love the juxtaposition of your comment "the haunting sorrow and splendor of this piece..." That is beautiful as is your entire comment. Grateful for you, your insights, and support. Enjoy your day, Sara