First Day of May Farewell...

First day of May is almost done

Tossed in the rays of the setting sun

Fading back to where it all began

Always a-once-in-a-lifetime span

First day of May is almost spent

Going the way that all other days went

Never to warm to its smiling hello
Or bear the brunt of its less stellar blow

First day of May is almost cast

One Journey Schooner has lowered its mast

Soon to be harbored at far westward shore

Never to sail time's high sea anymore

© Janet Martin

Woodland Vespers

Then May!

Happy, Happy 

Sweet-sweet welcome,

May!!

A few first day of May thrills...

We weathered the tether

Of parka-mitt weather

We shoveled and shoveled some more

We hailed snowflake-choirs

And stoked smoky fires

And wished old Man Winter would snore

We pined for first flowers

Withstood pelting showers

In hopes of a grand hip-hooray

Because always after

The storm spills the laughter

Because first comes April

Then May

We dreamed in full color

And planned garden-splendour

(No aphids to vex fantasy)

We endured the mayhem

Of March-April tantrums

Knowing that what must be must be

We baked till the oven

Protested the lovin’

Of bread, bun and muffin foray

We shook the dust-bunnies

From book-nooks and crannies

Because first spring-cleaning

Then May

We pored over packets

Forgot last year’s headaches

That planting is certain to bring

We flung windows widely

Then drew them shut tightly

With blue lips and teeth chattering

We busied our fingers

While dizzy with hunger

For blossomed and sun-warm entrée

We waited and waited

Till one morn, elated

April turned a corner

 Then May

© Janet Martin



Enough...

We sprawl ‘neath a shawl

of bottomless blue sky

And soak in a sauna

of sun

It is enough

Enough, we sigh

To know spring fought winter

And won

We take to the yard

All poets at heart

Whether we admit it 

or not

Imbibed with a sheen

Of countryside-wide green 

The shiver of winter

(almost) Forgot

© Janet Martin

Last night the stars fell

in violets

Dotting a sky of green

I tiptoe

For fear I will

wake up

And find it was only

A dream

 © Janet Martin

Some Positive Nevers...

They say never say never...
Depending what it is, good advice,

but there are some nevers

we may cling to fearlessly!

Thankfully.

Time spent with a child is never wasted...
Below, a popular look-at-the-new-day vantage-point that never gets old:)

It's been a busy morning already!

Canning the last of the sausage from a pork order we got yesterday

 reminded me of an occasion earlier this winter when

the financial advisor dropped by to talk about investments, retirement savings, etc.

He was quite intrigued by the heap of bulk sausage on the table,
all the jars being filled etc and wondered what on earth we are doing?!!

When I explained how we pack it in jars,

coldpack it in the canner 

and bring it to a rolling boil then reduce to medium heat and steam for 3 hours
 he with a most bewildered expression asked

'rolling boil, what...is a rolling boil?!!'

He had the same look on his face as I am sure I have as he runs through
phrases such as; asset allocation, index funds, equity, bonds, dividend, capital... 😁😂!

Victoria made a treat for her co-workers...

Something ‘bout new day imparts

Gladness to my heart of hearts

Whether weather gold or gray

God is never far away

…wrapping us in His embrace

Draping destiny with grace

Fitting us to face the task

Whatsoever He may ask

How-so-ever colours blend

Where-so-ever highways bend

Whosoever we may be

He loves uncondit'nally

Never leaving us alone

Never forgetting His own

Never granting worthlessness

Never breaking promises

Never nonchalant or mean

Ever present, though unseen

Never inconsiderate

Never ungracious or late

Never takes a holiday

Never turning us away

Ever tuned to humble prayer

Ever constant in His care

Ever faithful to the end

Ever Everlasting Friend

… Something ‘bout new day imparts

Gladness to my heart of hearts

Whether weather gold or gray

God is never far way

© Janet Martin

Never will I leave you,
Never will I forsake you.
Heb.13:5

Planting More Than Seeds...

 We kick up the dust

and scatter seeds of trust!

So another garden-year begins...

(yes! earliest planting is in!)

 Hope looks pretty plain at the onset,

But oh, the bounty and beauty it blooms into!

...all by the grace of the Creator.

Hope is the seed dropped into sod

Where what becomes is up to God

Hope braves the element of Now

Trusting God with the When and How

Hope tends the plot; it tills and plants

To at least give the bloom a chance

Hope does not abuse happiness

Not eats the bread of idleness

Hope drops the seed into the sod

Nay, plants it in the hands of God

© Janet Martin