Wintertide

Up high in the hinterland, I met a fine fellow With holly in his antlers and bells along his back Although, my deer, he dashed away far north with somewhere else to go He said, "We'll meet again", and I have never doubted that At wintertide the forest comes alive The crystal trees will sing If we're listening... listening close All the wild, free creatures—they are kindly And they'll speak to you and me If we're listening Listening close Theron a young red fox—one who's never seen the snow He played in all my footprints and stole my mittens too Soon—too soon he did return them, soon he left me all alone It wasn't long before I missed his mischief and my shoe At wintertide the forest comes alive The crystal trees will sing If we're listening... listening close All the wild, free creatures—they are kindly And they'll speak to you and me If we're listening Listening close Reminded by the moon, "It's time—there are those who wish you home" The mumblings of an owl keep me company Gliding over Colder River, I lost him in shadow, flying low This ramble now a poem that was written just for me At wintertide the forest comes alive The crystal trees will sing If we're listening... listening close All the wild, free creatures—they are kindly And they'll speak to you and me If we're listening Are you listening close?