A Cat's Life

Warm sun light filters in through the window pane,
Insistent little twitters pierce the fresh crisp air.
Long stretch, wide yawn 
should get up, but I refrain.
The pillow's too soft on this old rocking chair.
I spy a small bird
searching for food in the new soft snow,
Hopping and scratching
for all that he's worth.
But inside it is so warm 
and I am so slow,
I don't believe it's a worm he'll unearth.
If I were outside
I would quietly snatch my prey,
Quick as a snake
with a mouse in its mouth.
Perhaps another day.
Up and away he flees
heading at long last for due south.
Long stretch, wide yawn 
should get up, but I refrain.
Warm sun light filters in through the window pane.

For Hailey's Delight

Wiggly piggly spout,
I just forgot how to pout.
The sun came out just for me,
I saw a doe behind a tree.
Nestling low in the brush,
I discover a small brown hare
Soon his fur will turn so white,
But can he avoid the snare...? 
Small birds peck and scratch,
Contributing their share 
to this late fall mood.
All around me I see them scurry,
My summer friends now so furry.
No task can be left undone, 
not even the smoothing 
of a random feather,
In preparation for 
the winter weather.
Soon all will be nestled 
in their own cozy lairs,
Except for the tiny
hip-hopping hares.
Leaping and bounding 
through the deep snow,
Carefully watching for
their fierce winter foe.
Wiggly piggly spout,
I've simply forgotten 
how to pout.

Freedom Found

Tumbling slowly
Spiraling down
Eventually earth will be found
Frantically twisting
And turning
Attempting to cheat
Gravity somehow
At last
Air current found
Swaying and dipping
New freedom found
Gliding above and beyond
Clouds drifting languidly by
Creating images in the minds eye
Thankfully suspended in air
Soaring so high
Only angels can be found

Winter Warms

New dew at dawn's break,
Sunlight streams through window panes.
Wondrous sights make hearts ache,
Sparrow's songs so lightly sung the ear strains.
Soaring high in clear blue sky,
Eagles recklessly tango on crosscurrent.
Knowing winter is close by,
Each dance becomes recurrent.
Snuggle warm with babes so close,
Blankets tight to dispel the chill.
No more time to be verbose,
Jabbering at last comes to a still.
Winter warms our hearts in cloaks,
Sleepy eyed and warm as toast.
Hunkered down deep beneath the oaks,
The earth mother acts as their host.
Silent snow and gentle moon,
Starlit sky shows traveler's way.
Sleepy eyes will now close soon,
Dreaming of distant summer's day.

Swirling and Twirling

Flitter glitter little snowflake,
Your sparkle floating lightly over solid ground.
Spinning wildly, but not by mistake,
In a frenzied dance you whirl around.
Down and down you fall to earth,
Twinkling brightly, gravity bound.
Merging together to form a birth,
Each snowflake finally finding its mate.
Mantle of snow upon the ground,
Serving yourself for all upon a silver plate.
Swirling and twirling trying to light,
What will you make for us tonight?

Caught Between

Caught between fall and winter
Mother Earth struggles to regain control
Control over the changing seasons’ confusion
Will winter be mild or harsh
The skies darken with steel gray clouds
Issuing forth hastily made flakes
Each one unable to form a bond with another
Cold winds blow across these lifeless plains
Whipping savagely at the withered summer grass
Sending tumbling weeds scurrying for purchase
Sterile trees desperately trying to dig their roots deep down
Withstanding the violence of the furry
Creatures large and small are hunkered down
Waiting for nature’s anger to slow
The missing magic of sparkling snow
Resounds loudly across the barren land

Unpainted Canvas

Mother Nature presents her blank page
An unblemished white canvas
Awaiting an artist

Most certainly a contest will ensue
One between beast and one between man
To covet the privilege of the first stroke

Tire tracks mar the pristine picture
Man it appears has won the first round 

A blanket of white erases the unwelcome image
The ground lays ready and waiting to see who will be next
To paint a picture worthy of such purity

Paw prints weave their way on a course for warmth
An abstract of mission

The wind, always the critic
Blows the surface clean once more

Sturdy boot marks crisscross a path
Following their way back to the start

The traces of man and beast do not remain long
Nature has decided that none shall win her prize
A blanket of white is laid out once more