Wednesday, December 14, 2016

December's Diversity

Forecast for the Month

Winter is coming...as weathermen forecast;
Put on your snowtires...check anti-freeze and oil!
Dress warmly before leaving your premises!
Icy roads may impede the travellers in morn!
So, take it easy...and safely drive!

I muse each year that we have four seasons.
Which is my favourite? It'd be Spring or Autumn!
December is the onset of Winter and Christmas...
And don't we all long for 'snow on the evergreens'?
Some people 'shop 'til they drop'...
Yet, that is not my mantra!
Throughout the year, I buy gifts here and there;
And purchasing kits to hone my crafts.

With the sudden disappearance of summer's heat
And the quick chilly birth of temperature change...
The trees' autumn dressing soon was lost.
We missed the red maples and golden oak leaves.
I've even resorted to shoes and socks!
Winter is knocking...with cold crisp winds!

A bush of hibiscus, I bought in August
'Cause Holland Park's price was most attractive!
Unknown was the colour of its flowers to bloom.
Its foliage and buds barely fit in mycar.
With struggling effort, to my balcony, Rob delivered.
In anticipation, I waited for buds to bloom.

Adapting to the afternoon light until setting sun,
My hisbicus thrived on a daily jug of water.
Until cool weather...this enormous bush
Rewarded me with flowers so beauteous.
Cool temperatures began to curl its leaves
Requesting that I move it into my home.

The Garden Centre explained 'dormant stage'
Which my precious plant needed so sorely.
The leaves turned yellow and gradually fell
While it continued to bloom and bloom.
Following advice...I snipped all the buds
As required for winter sleep.
'Twas told, my hibiscus needed the 'rest'
To prepare for Spring's new growth
And production of blooms again!

Like the naming of a child, I've called her 'Coral'
Aptly suited for six and seven inch blooms.
By now she's shed fifty percent of her leaves;
I can only hope and pray, the door and living room windows
Will emit sufficient light for her 'dormant stage.'
Too, her deep pot advises she needs less water.
Every second day, I rotate her pot
so her branches will receive equal light.

It's now mid-December...and today, a big surprise!
Near the top of her six-foot height...
A gorgeous six-inch coral bloom!
Is this her 'gift to me' before winter's descent?
Or perhaps it's her 'adieu' until spring arrives.?
Is this Coral's Star as olden 'wise men' viewed
Individually honouring Christmas's season?

The squirrels, I see scudding around
Daily collecting their 'stash' of food...
Even attacking my artificial fleurs!
Most deciduous trees have lost their leaves.
Only evergreens remain sturdy and strong
A-waiting Nature's paint brush of snow-blankets and frost.

Your First Christmas Card
(submitted by one of my readers)

Twas the month before Christmas'
When all through our land,
Not a Christian was praying
Nor taking a stand.

Why the PC Police had taken away
The reason for Christmas ~ no one could say.
The Children were told by their schools not to sing
about Shepherds and WiseMen and Angels and things.
It might hurt people's feeings, the teachers would say.

December 25th is just a 'Holiday'
Yet, the shoppers were ready with cash, cheques and credit
Pushing folks down to the floor just to get it!
CD's from Madonna, an X BOX, and I-Pod.
Something was changing...something quite odd!

Retailers promoted Ramadan and Kwanzaa
In hopes to sell books by Franken & Fonda.
As Targets were hanging their trees upside down,
At Lowe's the word “Christmas” was no where to be found.
At K-Mart and Staples and Penny's and Sears
You won't hear the word Christmas; it won't touch your ears.

Inclusive, sensitive, Di-ver-si-ty
Are words that were used to intimidate me.
Now Daschle, Now Darden, Now Sharpton, Wolf Blitzen,
On Boxer, on Rather, on Kerry, on Clinton!

At the top of the Senate, there arose such a clatter
To eliminate Jesus, in all public matter.
And we spoke not a word...as they took away our faith,
Forbidden to speak of salvation and grace.
The true Gift of Christmas was exchanged and discarded...
The reason for the season, stopped before it started!

So, as you celebrate 'Winter Break' under your 'Dream Tree'
sipping your Starbucks...listen to me!
Choose your words carefully..choose what you say:

Shout MERRY CHRISTMAS! NOT Happy Holiday!
Christ is the Reason for the Christ-mas Season!

Merle Baird-Kerr...written December 12, 2016
Comments welcome: mbairdkerr@cogeco.ca or inezkate@gmail.com.

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