Three flying crows, two landing crows, and one blue jay in a backyard with wildflowers, compost pile, and woodshed on a sunny fall day.
top of page

Inspiration

Trees pop like pistols and the snow drifts and whispers

As I wade through the morning, ice growing in my whiskers,

Snow bombs dropping from the trees.

I’m up to my knees with a chain saw on my shoulder

And I don’t know as I’ve ever been colder.

Guess I’m just older.


 

Cause I’m thinking I might leave that woodlot alone

And go on home

Sit by the woodstove and read.

 

Ah, but here’s a visit to chase away the lonely,

This antic and cheerful little crowd of chickadees

Come to play by me and make me wonder:

 

How can it be these tiny creatures survive

Weather that would drive me inside?

Shouldn’t they huddle? Shouldn’t they hide?

 

Maybe while my toes still stay and my fingers yet flex

I’ll just step on this saw and give it a pull

And if she’ll catch …

Well, I’ll just get to work I guess.

close up three cold glassy-eyed chickadees feathers fluffed up huddling together on many i
bottom of page