Winter Inspiration

Imperfect Angel

From the upstairs bedroom window
on a moonlit December night,
I look down upon the snow
at a quite unusual sight.

Carefully sculpted snow angels
line the hillside down below.
There's one after another—
quite the perfect little row.

But something is quite different
about that last one over there.
It isn't quite as "perfect"
as far as snow angels fair.

I ponder the possibilities
and think, "How can this be?
Aren't angels always flawless?"
(Most surely would agree.)

Angels are quite elegant,
ne'er a wing is out of place,
their gowns are always just right
and in the finest of taste.

This angel isn't like the others.
It's messy to say the least.
But, to all children, I'd say:
"An imperfect angel I'd rather be."

Perfect's not all it's meant to be
with expectations above and beyond.
And so, my children, I hope you'll see
it's important to just have fun.

As I gaze out the frosty window pane
at the wintery display cast in blue,
I glimpse something along the lane,
a dog slowly passing through.

It wanders upon the row of angels,
stops and sniffs, and wouldn't you know?
It was man's best friend that made that
"Imperfect Angel" in the snow!

(written '10)

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The busy holiday season and my three granddaughters were the

inspiration for the following poem about life in the slower lane.

There's Magic In

The Silence

Their day's been filled with laughter, 

good friends and gifts galore.

"Now, girls, turn down the lights. 

It's time to take it slower." 

So as the sun sets in the west 

and the snow begins to swirl, 

I notice that the Christmas lights 

shone brighter than e'er before.

There's a sense of peace

with the freshly fallen snow but

as I gaze out the window I hear, 

"Grandma, let's do more?"

"Be quiet and just listen 

to the stillness all around.

There's magic in the silence, 

speak less and it will be found."

As I open up the window, I say, 

"Come closer and grab a blanket or two."

Then we huddled on the floor as the 

snowflakes came tumbling through.

"Did you see that shooting star

in the distant northern sky

and hear the swooshing sound it made

as it quickly passed on by?"

"And do you hear the crunching

as a grey fox makes its way

along the path by the pines

near that place you like to play?"

"I believe I hear a heartbeat.

Do you think that could be so?

It reminds me of my love for you. . .

is that an icicle on your nose?"

“You may not hear each snowflake

as it tumbles to the ground,

but if you're quiet you will hear

the most magnificent sounds.”

“Learn to listen patiently 

and you will come to see that

the world is filled with wonder—

and the best of it is free.”

(written '09)

---------------

Snowflake Souffle

In silence they come tumbling down,
tossing twirling to the ground.

Hours pass. . . the piles grow higher.
Snowflake Souffle is what you desire?

In wonderment I sit and stare
at Mother Nature's creative flair.
In the far off clouds I see
a glistening white menagerie.

There's an arctic fox, an albino deer,
a great white bear, yet have no fear.
For in the clouds they'll prance about
'til the north winds blow-w-w them out.

To the earth they'll make their way,
this icy creation—more Snowflake Souffle.
Snowflake Souffle. . . so fluffy and light.
C'est magnifique! A beautiful sight! 

(written '08)