December Doggerel

A few snared mementos that helped to inspire today's poem... The deep of dark dawns early, drawn across dusk’s stark tableauIt nestles over daybreak like a slowly waning throwUnveiling sweet December’s day, a gift of old made newWrapped in thin scarves of blush and gray and frosty baby blue It weaves its welkin ribbons though trees doffed of leafy sighAnd lavishes the landscape with the color of the skyIt revels in the frigid thrill of tinsel countrysideIt dazzles us where diamonds spill to leave us starry eyed ...and mesmerized, where nature’s never-ceasing halleluLeave us breathless with wonder at what only God can doHis beauty breaks all barriers to kindle humble aweOn hearths of heart and soul as we behold time’s seasoned law …and thank God for tea-kettles pouring fresh-steeped luxuryFor hats, mittens and slippers, for fat books of poetryFor home-sweet home, a poem that transcends the scope of inkFor children filling sleds with laughter and cheeks rosy pink For pots of hot and hearty soup for hungry girl and boyFor Christmas carols tuning lips with glad tidings of joyFor stars that fall and frill each sprig with sparkle-dust run wildFor toil that turns to worship as we ponder the Christ-child There's something so nostalgic in the fluff of fresh snowfalls  Something still so old-fashioned in the way it decks earth's hallsReminding us that, though so much in this old world seems strangeBeneath the kind Creator's touch still much will never change December is the perfect way to close another yearA white rose on a volume of echoes of smile and tearCacophony of blue jay scolding nuthatch and juncoA symphony of footsteps muffled by fresh-fallen snow © Janet Martin