Seasons of the Heart

1. Winter A peaceful realm, time itself almost frozen We play mind games indoors, Our joy more in fellowship than fresh air, Rubbing one moment against another, The friction creating warmth in our hearts. Yesterday's fireplace ashes, wires to roast marshmallows, Always speak of new possibilities Where dancing flames offer infinite delight, Like falling snow, every flicker as unique As the human heart itself. A Christmas smile that rewards even strangers Whose unsolicited gifts of love also come calling, Catch our hungry hearts unaware, Though expectations are low, we are shaken awake To ponder "fight for more" or "flight from!" 2. Spring Always a surprise, Spring pops into our lives Like a first Robin, its presence fragile, As if Winter's grip might last forever And snowflakes ultimately win the war, So frozen still is hope. Then suddenly there's an 80 Degree day, Snow still piled on the North side Of fences, homes, and trees, Rose buds start to grow, seeds get the message, And verdant change fills the earth. Young ladies' legs blossom skirts of many colors Conservative clothing now so passé, As temperatures rise overall. Soon cooler heads have all but vanished, Romance's pollen fills the air. 3. Summer Bare feet in summer sand can be too hot to handle, Arms and legs too need protection from light, Even the human heart sometimes Needs protection from exposure Tempting as it is to bare all. Feeding the soul can be like feeding the body Some foods are just too rich, What tastes good doesn’t always serve Our inner longings at all And wisdom doesn’t grow on trees anymore. Adam and Eve too struggled with this issue, Even in God’s presence somehow wanted more Being in competition with self A risky undertaking just because Your ego is always with you. 4. Fall Fall's fanciful arrival on the scene Brings splashes of color to the stage As if Nature were holding her breath Turning red, yellow, orange, and brown But never quite reaching blue. Colored leaves carpet lawns and children's parks And are raked into tempting piles That invite young hearts to make the jump, Drift up against rows of tombstones as well Death temporarily out of sight. We button our jackets against coming cold Split wood that helps heat our homes And resurrects memories of summer's ease, Freshly canned food lined up like soldiers, Affirming life against winter's discontent. Brian Johnston June 23. 2015