Season's Greetings

From my tent to yours...

 Merry Christmas, Happy Solstice, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays to You;

Happy rustlings in the leaf-fall,

shiny stars above the tall

and quiet trees;

Merry needling of the nose,

nippy fingers, chilly toes

in moist and brisky northern breeze;

King snake slumbering underneath

an ancient stump; the icy sheath

in barrels left out in the rain;

Coon eyes shining by the moon,

cayote's howl — their merry swoon —

enraptured, nightly high refrain;

Quiet bear and busy mouse,

merry possum, owl, and grouse,

and all that goes a-softly

padding by at night;

Misty morn on mountain tops,

lovely quiet when wind stops,

and sweet hot cocoa

by the glowing warm fire-light;

Crinkled leaves a-clinging now

to restful trees a-sleeping now, and

clapping softly like brown paper

tambourines;

Squirrels sipping at the pool,

nesting mice beneath the stool,

and tiny tustling, bustling things;

Happy bed stuffed warm with down;

dainty deer on frosty ground,

prancing in the new dawn's

early light;

Happy new year to you all;

I wish you well, and most of all —

Sweet Love deep as forest

in the night.

Love, PLH.