Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Encore Performance: The Outdoor Night Before Christmas


This poem was originally published one year ago. I'm bringing it back for an encore because, well, I like it!

The Outdoor Night Before Christmas
by Amy Boyer

On the night before Christmas
All round the lawn
The creatures were huddled
And waiting for dawn.

The night was so cold
The thermometer froze.
To make it much worse
It started to snow
Photo Credit: blog.nwf.org
In their holes, nests, and burrows
the animals cuddled.
Curling up tightly
For warmth as they snuggled.

Some fluffed feathers or fur
For more insulation,
But the night was so bitter
'Twas small consolation.

Photo Credit: CNN.com

"Oh dear," thought the Vole,
"All the roots will be frozen.
Whatever will there be to eat
When I've risen?"

Owl hooted, thinking
Ahead, as is wise.
"We'll be thirsty tomorrow.
The water will be ice."
Photo Credit: flickrhivemind.com
"The snow will be thick
On the ground before morning."
Grumbled Squirrel,
"I won't eat by going acorn-ing."

The Junco and Cardinal
And Capped Chickadee
Agreed that the snowfall
Would bury the seeds.

So as the humans dreamed
In sugarplum beds,
Poor miserable wildlife
Watched the cold dawn with dread...

What's this? Here's the Rabbit
Crying, "Be of Good Cheer!
My friends, come and see!
Our Christmas is here!"

Photo Credit: imgkid.com

Sparrow sang, "Look!
The feeders are full!
It's my favorite -
Sunflower seeds without hulls!"

Photo Credit: birdsandblooms.com
"And peanuts!
And suet!
And safflower seeds!
Heaters
In birdbaths!
Mealworms! Thistle seeds!"

Then with joy
Did the creatures spring out of their nests,
Saying, "Thank you dear Humans,
This Christmas is the best!

And this thoughtfulness we will reward
All year long,
With our antics and beauty
And Dawn Chorus song."

Noses pressed against windows,
The Humans replied,
"Merry Christmas to us all
Whether in- or out-side!"

Caring for wildlife is beautiful.




8 comments:

We love to know what you have to meow, bow-wow, growl, or just plain howl. Leave a comment for us!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...