Winter.
Winter’s come and grass stops growing;
Shorter days, with mist and fog.
Guy Fawkes, bonfires sparkling, glowing;
Children laughing, all agog.
The final fall of beech nuts – ‘mast’,
Birds are mobile, hunting food.
Bats, searching for insects, wing past;
Packs of hounds and huntsmen viewed.
Christmas trees, with lights so jolly;
Dogs by an apple log fire.
Ivy, sprigs of mistletoe and holly.
Carols from cathedral’s choir.
The robin’s now in striking song,
Fluffing feathers in the cold.
Ponies coats, thick, shaggy, long.
Winter’s frosty grip takes hold.
Stiff frozen grass gives hard grazing;
Trees’ bare branches decked with rime.
Snowy landscapes, quite amazing;
Dazzling whites, some so sublime.
Central heating, hibernation,
As weather reaches coldest.
Winter sports and recreation.
It leaves me feeling oldest!
Don Filliston.