Alas!

Because it's National Poetry Month and because it's snowing today, this 23rd day of April...

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,
el'naturale, not in a 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
or maybe just spar with their mast.

Happily, we see greening of the 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 us who garden in mass.
Rather a garden lad or lass,
we're so 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.

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

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

Picture from Spring 2012.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.