HOOTIE SAYS, "MORE POETRY, NOW"

So who am I to argue. The first is a cold and snowy one. Better get a blanket!


A SNOW AT GRAMPA'S


Cold and bright the morning dawned
Over the hills near Grampa's home,
Giving just a little hint
Of the snow that was to come.

Just before the first flakes came
Drifting slowly as the fell,
From the pasture came the sound
Of Betsy's old cow bell.

Betsy knew what was to come
As she began to move toward the barn.
The world would be white in no time.
The barn was dry and warm.

The horses followed Betsy's trail,
Their breath as white as snow.
The sheep moved closer to the shed
Down by the bungalow.

Snow was falling faster now
And covering the farm in white.
Wood was brought into the house
Against the coming night.

The stock was fed, the old cow milked.
The barn door closed. The old bull tethered.
The dog and cat were brought inside
To keep them from the weather.

The house was full of cooking smells,
Fried chicken and apple pie.
The old folks sat before the fire
And remembered snows gone by.

The snows they'd seen in fifty years
While raising kids on the farm,
All grown up now with kids of their own.
The fire and their memories kept them warm.

All night long the snow came down
And covered all in white.
Next morning we gazed out upon
The snow in the sun so bright.

Two feet high outside the door
And three feet high in the lane,
The old man pushed his way to the barn
To feed the stock hay and grain.

The snow lay on for four more days
But it was snug and warm inside.
A memory for them to share
Another time when the kids came by.


The next was written one day when I was feeling kind of low about this old world and what we are doing to it. And the problems seem to be multiplying.


STEWARDSHIP

There are times I just want to be by myself,
Just to be with my thoughts,
Not being social, not talking at all,
To think what mankind has wrought.

We've conquered the land, conquered the seas,
And think we're kings of the earth.
We've even taken steps in space,
For whatever that may be worth.

The earth is ours to command,
To do with as we please.
But we have made an unholy mess.
Believe me, friend, God sees.

We've dumped our trash in oceans deep,
We've done just as we wish.
But God has seen the way that we
Have destroyed most of His fish.

Out in space there's lots of room
For Man to put his mess--
Satellites, space stations, where will it end?
We can only guess.

The Bible says there'll come a time
When God again will take command.
Then fires will burn and waters boil,
Uncontrollable by man.

Stewardship is what we need
Of all that has been given to us.
Until that time I'll use my pen
To quiet all this fuss.

And with that, have a good day.