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