In Winter's Storm (there is no place like home)

Nothing like a winter storm to rekindle thankfulness for home! Here winks the lure of friendly firesideCheering the labor’r toward eventideHere, with loved ones to gather and to supFruit of love’s labor filling plate and cupHere the tea kettle, while centuries wingPours fresh-steeped comfort for pauper and kingHere, like a haven while wild wind-beasts brawlHome in winter’s storm, is sweetest of all Here wish-lists dwindle, snuggly satisfiedWith hugs and slippers, while the countrysideIs tossed, lost in white brumal gusting swellAs Old Man Winter pummels hill and dell…and we, borne on parchment catamaranSail into ancient worlds and back againWhere no matter how fair the climes we roamNothing compares to winter’s home-sweet-home Here happiness is like a warm handshakeA steaming ‘cup o’ and a bite o’ cakeHere hobbies are like mini getawaysHere mother sometimes pauses work and playsHere we have nowhere else we’d rather beThan watching birds flit from feeder to treeAnd wrangling thankfulness into a poemAs we thank God for winter’s home, sweet home Here beckons the gold halo of lamplightHere little tots are tucked in extra tightAnd all is quiet save the howling galeThat overflows contentment’s hallowed grailThat crackles and pops as flame-dancers leapAnd book soft-plops as reader falls asleepLulled by the lays that rake the leafless loamWhile kindling thankful praise for home, sweet home © Janet Martin