From January to June

January 1st

Coming back from visiting a friend, I noticed that the hazel catkins were out. This is very early.

Catkins.

The catkins are hanging down from the bush

Little lambs' tails have been hung out to dry.

But the dark grey clouds pass with a rush

Threatening snowflakes that fall from the sky.

Hazel trees think that the spring has arrived.

Deceived into thinking, but it's all in vain

For they have not winter's depth yet survived

Icy cold temperatures, and lots of rain.

Promise of spring yet to come gives us cheer.

Look at the catkins and think what's to come.

Warm days of spring when birdsong fills your ear

And daffodils bloom and the winter is done.

The years go round and spring always returns

Fills us with joy, and defeats all concerns.

January 2nd

It's supposed to be getting cold again, so in anticipation, here's another poem about cold. This one a Haiku.

Cold.

Snow lies on the ground.

Painted flowers grace all windows.

Jack Frost has his fun.

January 3rd

There is so much conflict in the world. I cannot understand the mindset that seems to think it's OK to pile up weapons. Why have them if you're not going to use them? And I don't buy into the 'defence' argument. If no one has them, there's nothing to defend against.

Become neutral, like Switzerland. Who threatens them?

Why?

Why

Do governments think

They should have

Bombs?

Why

Do governments think

They should have

Guns?

Why

Do governments think

They should have

Forces?

Why

Do people agree

To go and

Fight?

Why

Do they not understand

All wars end in

Negotiation?

Why

Do they not

Begin with

Talks?

January 4th.

We drove past the Wilmington Long Man this afternoon and it made me think about other hill figures in England. Many of them are horses.

Hill Figures.

White horses and giants sit under the sky.

Chalk figures were built many ages ago:

Our ancestors cut them, but who knows why?

Perhaps to their gods, so when they sow

Their crops, much food they could grow.

Gog and Magog stood on the hill

Near Cambridge, but can no longer be seen

Grown over with grass, and the mosses now fill

Where these two proud figures have been

All over the grass does grow green.

We still have white horses that we can admire.

Built to goddess Epona to worship with cheer.

Goddess of horses, leading souls when they die,

And fertile pastures and wheat; many an ear.

To have a good crop every year.

Long Man and Cerne Giant also stand tall.

Represent gods? No one knows.

But maybe one day, we will know all

About these figures on hillsides that pose.

Why folk thought the need for them arose.