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Oh, Winter…with its deep-down chill,
That gets you…to the bone;
A time of darkest solitude,
When we feel so much alone.

The birds have all flown away,
Very few that still remain;
No longer their trilling songs to sing,
Until Spring returns again.

White, sparkling snow…though beautiful,
Covers all the ground;
Everything is frozen solid,
A deep hush…across the land…abounds.

Those dark nights…how very long,
And, the very short days;
All the earth is wrapped in whiteness,
In blanketed silence…it lays.

A time of rest…for one and all,
Time to reflect on things past;
To remember things that used to be,
The substantial…things that last.

Now, with days getting longer,
The snow and ice…pushed back;
Soon, it shall be gone again,
The earth revealed…so rich, so black.

So rich and fertile is the soil,
Waiting…for yet, another planting;
With the promise of life's return,
All of earth has been waiting.

With Spring…hope returns,
As gentle breezes blow;
All of life…awake once more,
A transformation, our earth does undergo.

Birds returning from their Winter homes,
Their music fills the air;
New nests they're building…families raising,
New life breaking forth…everywhere.

Crops now planted…in furrows,
As far as the eye can see;
With the hope of a bountiful harvest,
Abundant increase…we foresee.

The lazy days of Summer,
Sun…high in the sky;
Drawing forth all forms of life,
All the earth to beautify.

'Tis an awesome Season,
God's magnificence…clearly seen;
All of creation in full array,
From brightest reds, to yellows…and deepest, richest greens.

Babies…of all descriptions,
Born in early Spring;
Now venture forth on wobbly legs,
Or, bravely flap their wings.

It's a joyous time of plenty,
With more…yet to come;
But, for now…more than sufficient,
Most grateful are we…nearly overcome.

Still, there's a need for diligence,
Our hand kept to the plow;
For weeds grow fast and furious,
This…we cannot allow.

Days growing shorter...now,
A crispness fills the air;
Leaves change color…then…they fall,
Soon, all the trees will be bare.

All God's creatures know the signs,
It is time…once more to store;
Reap of the rich harvest,
Gather in…before the Fall is o'er.

Most bountiful of harvests,
God's provided the increase;
Food and fodder for all His creatures,
Spread out across the land…His masterpiece.

A thankful people…are we,
Our God has truly blessed;
With confidence in Him,
There's no need for duress.

Another Season…ending,
As snowflurries we see;
'Twas a glorious year…LORD,
For this…we do thank Thee!

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Dec. 15, 2000

Aimee Love
(LHG)