Snow in the Suburbs

by Thomas Hardy

…..Every branch big with it,

….Bent every twig with it;

……..Every fork like a white web-foot;

……..Every street and pavement mute:

Some flakes have lost their way, and grope back upward, when

Meeting those meandering down they turn and descend again.

….The palings are glued together like a wall,

….And there is no waft of wind with the fleecy fall.

…..A sparrow enters the tree,

….Whereon immediately

……..A snow-lump thrice his own slight size 

……..Descends on him and showers his head and eyes 

And overturns him, 

.And near inurns him, 

……..And lights on a nether twig, when its brush 

….Starts off a volley of other lodging lumps with a rush. 

….The steps are a blanched slope, 

…..Up which, with feeble hope, 

……..A black cat comes, wide-eyed and thin; 

.And we take him in. 

Most of you have probably finished decorating but in case you want to add a few more touches, here’s some inspiration…

I hope you are finding the time between shopping, decorating, entertaining, traveling, etc. to sit back, relax and enjoy this time of year!  I’m trying….