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A Winter's Tale

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IN 2013 WE HAD THE WORST SNOW IN 50 YEARS AND TRAGICALLY MANY THOUSAND OF LIVESTOCK PERISHED - MY POEM IS LOOSLY BASED ON THIS EVENT

Biting winds and swirling flakes of snow had finally abated We surveyed the deep drifts, which lay on the fields The silvery moon peeped through the clouds and lit our way It was bitterly cold, but the pitiful sound of bleating spurred us on Some friends and neighbours had joined us – we had no time to lose! Grabbing our spades we worked tirelessly throughout the night Digging out the sheep and tiny lambs one by one Their fleeces were matted with tiny icicles As dawn broke we had rescued all but one of our precious flock Suddenly our trusty sheepdog Shep started barking We trudged to where he was frantically pawing at the snow Our hearts lifted as we pulled the final sheep out alive At last it was time for us to return to the farmhouse In the distance I could see gold and silver lights sparkling and scintillating on the Douglas fir tree in church in the village. I raised my eyes to heaven and gave thanks. A Winter Poem Sponsor Shadow Hamilton Required words silver, gold, sparkling, flakes, icicles, drifts and spades 12~02~16

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Carole Duet

Date: 12/9/2016 9:44:00 PM

Congratulations, Jan. Poor little sheep! And, bravo for saving them.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/18/2016 8:00:00 AM

I only 'saved' them in my fictional poem Carole sadly in reality many thousands died:-( hugs jan xx

Sandra Haight

Date: 12/7/2016 8:48:00 AM

Jan, back again to congratulate you on your well-deserved First Place Trophy win for your poem! Hugs, Sandra

Jan Allison
Date: 12/7/2016 8:55:00 AM

Many thanks Sandra I was delighted Shadow liked my poem:-) hugs jan xx

Deborah Burch

Date: 12/5/2016 11:41:00 PM

Woohoo!! Big Congrats on a wonderful poem and win!! Well done jan!!! Big Hugggs! Cap'n Deb

Jan Allison
Date: 12/6/2016 4:21:00 AM

Thanks Deb xx

Roy Pett

Date: 12/5/2016 5:07:00 PM

Absolutely wonderful poem, congratulations well deserved.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 5:12:00 PM

Many thanks Roy I was delighted Shadow liked it so much:-) hugs jan xx

Anisha Dutta

Date: 12/5/2016 11:12:00 AM

Congrats Jan to win top on your wonderful poem. hugs

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 11:30:00 AM

Thanks Anisha:-) hugs Jan xx

Charlie Smith

Date: 12/5/2016 10:59:00 AM

Congratulations Jan, a wonderful story and a wonderful win...

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 11:30:00 AM

Thanks Charlie:-) hugs Jan xx

Doug Vinson

Date: 12/5/2016 9:42:00 AM

An exceedingly righteous, massively appropriate win, Jan! Baaa..... : )

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 11:31:00 AM

Thanks so much Chris I was delighted to place so well:-) hugs Jan xx

Len Gasun

Date: 12/5/2016 12:18:00 AM

You did a great job here my dear friend, Jan and my warmest Big Congrats both for this outstanding poem and well-deserved trophy/win! Hugs and cheers! love lots, Galeo

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 1:36:00 AM

Thanks Leonora:-) hugs Jan xx

Mark Martin

Date: 12/4/2016 11:41:00 PM

Congrats on your win! Great story! :-)

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 1:36:00 AM

Thanks so much Mark:-) hugs Jan xx

Darren White

Date: 12/4/2016 10:59:00 PM

YOU WON!!! Grats Jan, wonderful :D

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 1:36:00 AM

I did and I'm smiling!!:-) hugs jan xx

Cheryl Hoffman

Date: 12/4/2016 7:36:00 PM

Congratulations on your well deserved first place win! Beautiful, heart rendering realistic story! Hugs~Che xx

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 1:35:00 AM

Thanks Cheryl I hope we never see another winder like 2013:-( hugs Jan xx

Duke Beaufort

Date: 12/4/2016 7:30:00 PM

The coping described is heartwarming. You cared. The things that can happen in nature are remarkable. I have no doubt that we will see many amazing displays which will try us to no end. My heart is warmed by you and your kindness.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/5/2016 1:33:00 AM

It is pure fiction write for me Duke but the underlying story is real and the farming community did all they could to rescue the livestock but sadly over 10% of the sheep died it was absolutely heartbreaking:-( hugs Jan xx

Arthur Vaso

Date: 12/4/2016 7:16:00 PM

I also should say, congrats on the win! This was for sure well deserved! Hugs!

Jan Allison
Date: 12/4/2016 7:21:00 PM

aww thanks Arthur:-) I try to think out of the box and not rush and this theme was perfect for me:-) hugs jan xx

Arthur Vaso

Date: 12/4/2016 7:06:00 PM

I actually read this yesterday and was sure i commented, which goes to show, maybe I had more wine last night than I should have!! :)

Jan Allison
Date: 12/4/2016 7:08:00 PM

lol:-) I drink tea and still forget to actually submit the comment lol I was convinced I'd commented on Sandra's poem but woosh the comment was not there:-) hugs Jan xx

Eve Roper

Date: 12/4/2016 7:05:00 PM

Hello, Jan, back to congratulate you on this wonderful poem. Touched my heart Hugs Eve

Jan Allison
Date: 12/4/2016 7:07:00 PM

Thanks so much Eve:-) hugs jan xx

Janis Thompson

Date: 12/4/2016 6:20:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, Jan.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/4/2016 6:24:00 PM

Many thanks Janis:-) hugs Jan xx

Agnes Krampe

Date: 12/4/2016 6:02:00 PM

Back with congrats on your win, Jan.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/4/2016 6:07:00 PM

Thanks so much Agnes:-) hugs jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/4/2016 5:09:00 PM

wow, when did this get judged??? Oh my, I hope I made the list. I knew when I saw this one, she was gonna love it. A trophy winners. BIG congrats.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/4/2016 5:12:00 PM

I didn't know about the contest until i got a mail a few mins back:-) I'm absolutely delighted to get a trophy Andrea:-):-) hugs Jan xx

Gary Smith

Date: 12/4/2016 4:51:00 PM

Congratulations Jan. :)

Jan Allison
Date: 12/4/2016 4:56:00 PM

wow thanks Gary I am delighted Shadow liked my poem and to be on her winners list:-):-) hugs Jan xx

Judy Ball

Date: 12/3/2016 10:24:00 PM

WoW! A gruesome experience that had a happy ending for you. No one should die like that. It's so sad when you find an animal frozen or drowned or perhaps died of thirst. These things teach us to be vigilant and faithful in our care taking. Great job here. Thanks for sharing. Good luck in the contest. God Bless, JB

Jan Allison
Date: 12/3/2016 11:35:00 PM

My poem is fiction on my part but sadly in the winter of 2013 we had the worst snow in 50 years and over 14,000 (10%) of the sheep on our little Island died:-( hugs jan xx

Jean Murray

Date: 12/3/2016 12:03:00 PM

This is delightful Jan. Full of Christmas spirit.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/3/2016 12:07:00 PM

Thanks Jean:-) hugs jan xx

Paul Callus

Date: 12/3/2016 3:17:00 AM

Well done, Jan! It's not just a lovely poem in itself, but you also managed to insert the obligatory words with apparent ease. I don't think I'd last long in that kind of temperature:) Hugs // paul

Jan Allison
Date: 12/3/2016 9:53:00 AM

Thanks Paul :-) 2013 was the worst snow in 50 years and sadly 10% of the sheep died:-( hugs jan xx

Caycay Jennings

Date: 12/3/2016 12:58:00 AM

What a wonderful way to write for this contest! I enjoyed the truth as per your tale very much. A unique entry this is bound to be! An uplifting and well written verse, Jan - good luck in all things ... CayCay

Jan Allison
Date: 12/3/2016 9:53:00 AM

You know me for going for an unusual angle on contest themes lol - sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't:-) hugs Jan xx

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 12/2/2016 9:46:00 PM

wow, to take that event and make a poem like this out of it. VERY sharp thinking, my friend. Shadow will just love this.

Jan Allison
Date: 12/3/2016 12:00:00 AM

Thanks Andrea I wanted to do something a little different:-) I hope Shadow likes my theme:-) hugs Jan xx

Agnes Krampe

Date: 12/2/2016 4:17:00 PM

What a vivid depiction of your story, Jan. Good luck for the contest. Agnes

Jan Allison
Date: 12/2/2016 5:42:00 PM

Thanks Agnes - the snow of 2013 is something never to be forgotten - over 10% of the sheep on the Island were killed:-( hugs Jan xx