Alas!

Alas!

At last, at last,

winter is past.

When winter is past

it's springtime – at last!

There's a red or blue flash

from songbirds doing the dash

who joyfully sing with each task,

a Capella, not heard in vocal class.

Colorful spring bulbs pop up in mass

causing happy smiles to be cast.

Bees return at last.

Don't touch or you'll sass!

There's much to do when winter is past.

Each year we long for spring to come fast.

Soon we'll be busy with spring tasks

as warmer days come to pass.

Time to open the window sash

and spring clean the window's glass.

Then shine the front door's brass

door knocker when going past.

Earlier each morning the glow of the new day's sunrise is cast

as gardeners stretch and determine to complete each day's tasks.

Later each evening disappearing sunsets paint a rosy repast

while lullabies are sung by songbirds as dusky twilight is cast.

Yes, spring is here at last

as temperatures warm up fast.

Some can't wait to go fishing for bass

then prepare a fish fry at last.

Happily, we see the greening of grass.

Soon we'll need to buy lawnmower gas.

We forget about dandelions amassed

until more return each year despite last year's task.

Everyone's glad to see winter has passed.

Especially we who garden in mass.

Rather a garden lad or lass,

we're happy winter has passed.

Spring is here . . . at last -

until a surprise blast

of arctic air is cast

upon this country vast

and lasts and lasts and lasts.

Will this winter ever pass?

We're aghast!

Alas! Alas!

* * * * *

Shakespeare wrote, "Parting is such sweet sorrow,"

but not when winter continues to burrow.

We long for spring after months of snow.

Spring can't come too soon, we often crow.

It seems that the birds radar was off

for their return signaled spring's takeoff.

Perhaps their song woke up the crocus

and even bees who gleefully buzz.

Then surprisingly more snow...

and it's too cold to melt the snow.

Will winter ever be past?

When will spring come – at last?

Yet spring is an unknown

as our days are unknown.

We don't know what tomorrow will bring.

Hopefully joy and not suffering.

We seem to long for what we don't have

always hoping for the best life has.

Our focus is on the temporal

instead of on the eternal.

It's what's done for eternity that lasts.

So when you come to an impasse

this question you should ask:

will my faith live on and last?

Hebrews 11 talks about faith that lasts.

Faith that generations could not unmask.

Faith that continues to hold fast

irregardless of what comes to pass.

Faith is a certainly that will surpass

daily doubts that often harass.

Faith will turn your weakness into strength that lasts

for faith is the key that always removes doubt's mask.

See! The winter is past.

Song of Songs 2:11

The length of our days is seventy years -

or eighty, if we have the strength;

yet their span is but trouble and sorrow,

for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

Psalm 90:10

...for such a time as this...

Esther 4:14

Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Read Hebrews 11.

Be very careful to keep the commandment and the law

that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you:

to love the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways,

to obey his commands, to hold fast to him

and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.

Joshua 22:5

But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God,

as you have until now.

Joshua 23:8

Life Is a Garden Party

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