Telling Tales

Last night a shimmering blanket of snow
silently fell in the garden and meadow.
Covering everything in its path down low
and what's up high is veiled by new fallen snow.

This morning white, glistening snow
is heaped on the evergreen boughs.
From the leafless trees, shadows
stretch out into a tangled row.

Though silent the snow came, this morning a tale follows
for night visitors ventured out from their hollow.
Crossing the road, they know
where tasty edibles grow.

Despite my dog named Goldie, who's yellow,
uninvited critters leave a trail to follow.
Not afraid, they came in the night's shadows,
telling tales where their footprints burrowed.

There are rabbit tracks to follow,
hopping then stopping in the shadows.
I did not see hide nor tail, though,
footprints tell tales down low.

There are trails abounding from bucks and does.
Over the fence they jumped for a thorough
investigation in my garden - to my woe.
If only I had a bow and arrow.

It's way too cold, though,
because it's near zero
to check out any damage these foes
have contributed, to my sorrow.

Though silent they came, the fluffy snow
tells tales of where these bucks and does,
rather rabbits or deer, all foes,
have eaten their midnight chow.

What I do find to be cute are the birds nests stowed
in the leafless trees now piled high with snow.
These nests, wearing a white cap, seem to glow
with promises of a spring in the morrow.

Then when the sun comes out to shine, the snow glows
and sparkles, like glitter, in my hollow
reminding me of an angel wearing a halo
spreading joy and gladness this cold day - banishing sorrows.

* * * * *

We all live with various types of foes.
Some live with constant grief and sorrow,
maybe health or financial woes,
or perhaps in depression wallow.

Sometimes it seems to our sorrow
only gloom waits each tomorrow.
That's not God's plan for us, though.
God wants us to live life aglow.

An attitude of 'woe is me' adds sorrow.
Much unhappiness will surely follow.
An attitude of gratitude, though,
will banish many daily sorrows.

Gladness will replace sadness, we know,
when we come out from the shadows,
for in the shadows we go to wallow
about our personal woes and sorrows.

The abundance of our heart flows
out wherever we happen to go.
Of worry, do not borrow.
Of gladness, be sure to follow.

You'll be much better for it, you know,
when gladness replaces sorrow.
You'll look forward to tomorrow,
if you search for joy and follow.

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart.
For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 6:45

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23