As I sit before my bowl of porridge
Contemplating its warmth sublime
I can appreciate this simple pottage
So often under-rated at breakfast time
It is though so warm and filling
Both cold and hunger it does decrease
And on mornings like this one
It is a grand as any feast
Padre
The sky has opened and a carpet laid
White and smooth – perfectly made
Hiding the brown of Autumn’s decay
A pristine sheet awaiting children to play
It shall not last – but for a moment is pure
But alas road salt and snowballs it cannot endure
Padre
My journey solitary
On the forest path alone
But others have gone this way
Shows the footprints in the snow
I feel I travel singly
Through the pine trees and crisp drifts
But other’s tracks comfort me
As I make my lonely trip
Padre
Homeward determined
A lone rider braves the snow
With blinding drifts chill
And many miles yet to go
Warmth to find, Promise to keep
Padre
A raven caws from the barren branch
As cold grey clouds shadow the frozen mud
No seedlings yet emerge from this snow day‘s
Bleak landscape, as we huddle by the campfire
As bright as safety orange in the dull winter world
Padre
snow day, safety orange, campfire, seedling, raven, mud, and shadow.
Early morn and a light fog cloaks the land
Earth crisp with the touch of Winter’s hand
Cold air sharp on nose and lungs
As you venture outwards under the weak sun
Early morn – the starlings begin their day
The frozen meadow underfoot crunches
As you make your way
Padre
In a lean-to structure on a brumal day
A woman aged did chance to stay
She was no witch, but was seen that way
Why they thought so is hard to say
Her cloak drawn tightly against the cold
She drew a small bundle from beneath its folds
Pouring some contents into a wee cauldron without haste
So that none of the herbs precious would go to waste
She placed the strong pot onto the firewood with care
She struck her flint until the tinder did flare
Soon the fragrance of Chamomille filled the glade
And the sense winter dreary began to fade
Hot cup of tisane now in her hand
She settled back, the most fainéant person in all the land
Padre
Lean-to, Bundle, Witch, Chamomille, Herbs, Firewood, Cauldron, Cloak, Haste Brumal- wintry, Dreary, Fainéant- an idle or ineffective person
Where did it go?
It can’t be far
Has anyone seen a yellow car?
I know it was here
When I parked last night?
How can a few flakes
Obscure my sight?
I need to get to work
And that’s no joke
So I guess I give these piles a poke
Padre
A squirrel hunting in the mountains
Searching for acorns among the fallen leaves
Filling up her winter larder
Before the ground does solid freeze
Diligent little creature
Storing up for the winter rest
She seems so lively
As she goes about her quest
Padre
Padre's Ramblings 