The Winter Pantry
Winterberry, wintergreen, winter wonder-show
Fox and rabbit in the yard, pawprints in the snow
Clove of garlic in the ground, bulb of tulip too
Corm of crocus in its bed, beside the meadow rue
Elderberry, serviceberry, ice and snow and sleet
Acorns and pine cones, but what is there to eat?
Pickles in the pantry, pumpkins in the pie
Green beans in the freezer, mint hung up to dry
Mushrooms by the oak tree, honey bees asleep
Potatoes in the cellar and promises to keep
Basil for the pesto, onions for the stew
Let the soup stock simmer, let the herb tea brew.
The sky is dark, it's four o'clock
As gardeners light their candles
It's time to rest and look around
Grateful for this fertile ground
Its gifts of squash and beans and leeks
Rhubarb, kale and beets so sweet.
We sit and dream of next spring's seeds
Of peas and poppies and rows with no weeds
As with a smile we face the long night
For the Solstice is coming
And with it more light!
Janet N. Gold lives in Camden

