Winters White Cloak

The hoarfrost bites the tender limbs, with hard snow on the ground The water surface mirror like, in the forest there's no sound The footbridge wears a coat of ice, flashing in the sun Awaits steam blowing joggers, out on their morning run The birds sit on the branches, wrapped in feathers warm The morning is so peaceful, not the slightest sign of storm The badger curled up in his set, he waits for stronger sun You can't dig worms in iron hard ground, winter life's no fun The fox patrols the open ground, where the rabbits dig for grass They are deep down in their burrows, wait for early morn to pass While Owls eat mainly insects, Voles and Field mice don't stray far From the warmth of grass lined burrows, safe haven that they are In time the winter turns to spring, the freshness that it brings The green grass back, the leaves on trees, all the pleasant things Soon will come the Caddisfly, with larvae for the fish The same that later in the year, end in the anglers dish And so it goes the seasons pass, as they have always done Since the time this earth our home, created by the One While each of us is not here long, it behoves us to take care Of what was given us to use, I'll do my best I swear