Happy First Day of Winter (or Happy-days-will-start-to-get-longer)

In keeping with The Times, the rain outside the window is trying hard to turn into snow.

Last night's rain dissolved the last clinging traces of white,

So after all that snow we've had, we're back to Dreaming of a White Christmas!

Happy Winter Begins!

Season of boots

Coats, mitts and hats

And smoke and soot,

And fireside naps

And steaming mugs

And ice and snow

And sweater-hugs

And cold gales, oh,

And dazzling sweeps

Of green forgot

And shoveled heaps

Of you know what

And fuzzy socks

And small-print books

And crisp, brisk walks

And pillow-nooks

And scrabble-boards

And poetry

Some without words

Like stars set free

To tumble-twirl

In soundless lilt

And tuck the world

Beneath down-quilt

The barren tree

A work of art

Its melody

A tug-of-heart

The dormant lea

A Master Peace

The cup of tea

A sweet release

Season of grays

And fresh-baked Yum

Of humble praise

For Home-warm-home

Of breath-cloud b-r-r-r

And frost-starred glass

Of winter, shiver-

Come-to-pass

© Janet Martin