1.

.

La Nina brings changes foreshadowing the world our children will know

accepting what they find as the way things have always been and always will be.

It makes me wonder about the 'world' I took for granted when I was younger,

the people and the traditions I was discovering for my own for the first time,

yet La Nina, in concert with the earth below must have danced her stately rhythm

while dinosaurs grazed or molten lava oozed and God and His angels

were the only ones to watch.

♥

.

#2

.

As the cold of new snow strikes through my clothes I shiver,

having expected it, I still find myself unprepared for its Arctic arrival

 as trees and buildings stand partially bathed in pale sunlight and crisp frost

I cover myself with layers of warmth even knowing it's all for naught

as soon as I step away to endure Winter's chill embrace

Making me ache for distent spring!

♥

.

#3.

.

The snow comes and goes

while the sunlight casts her shadow

as captious as a fast growing serpent,

and I shiver.

The winds rise and fall

with haunting regularity as the days wane

the first night of winter creeps

cold and dark...

and I shiver.

This year's decline with fragile grace

as I rush about to get last minute tasks done

...what aremarkable year 2011 was -

like a child's kaleidescope, quickly changing hues

and degress of danger and hope

and interactions that wheel and twist

as I remember.

And I shiver.

♥

#4

.

The snow blows like fine white dust

down the center of the empty street

as the sun hides behind the whitened mountain tops

and I sit and stare out the lobby window

waiting for the Paratransit van to arrive as well.

Shiloh reclines within the carrier

-too small for him to stand

patient as the snow

moved by strong currents of winter

like the wind driven snow

as we wait, side by side, while the Sun

makes a tentative appearance to smile 

and drapes the snow around his feet

to allow us safe passage

for the length of time it takes us

to reach the heated space. 

♥

.

#5

.

As we wait in the Lobby of the Vet's

I hear a puppy's whine increase

from the hallways behind

the reception area.

the quiet reassurance of warmth and calm

wrapping around us as we share it.

In another hour we'll be home in

familiar surroundings again

with another long year stretched out

before we have to do do this again.

I hope it doesn't pass as quickly

as the last one did!

♥

.

#6

.

There is a lack of color

even to the cars as they pass by,

as if muted by the same brush

used by Old Man Winter

to reclaim the sun warmed heights

and busy streets as his.

Shiloh waits patiently

in his 'pet taxi' as the snows hold back

and I hear a generic meow

demanding attention.

I fight back another yawn

and glance up to see irregular

patches of blue pushing their way

through the added lumps

of snow bearing clouds.

♥

.

#7

.

Without warning a merry jungle admits

the cold and two other women

with their trusted feline companion.

Wise eyes wide with fear,

watching every movement

tense with expectation of

the need for response.

yet calmed by having a

trusted human near.

♥

.

#8

.

Somehow,

there is a universal cat sized space

within many human hearts

even in strange situations.

A Place where a cat may climb up,curl within and fill

fulfilling both feline and loving host.

♥

.

#9

.

A shy, long haired black cat roams the reception area at will ~

Who will deny a cat with four paws and a will?

And I am painfully reminded of lost loves,

kitties I have shared my Chi with and loved in return

and discover to my amused amazement

the places that still warmly exist.

♥

.

#10

.

I listen to the sounds of the traffic more evident at ground level

then from my lofty perch on the fourth floor of my aparmtent building,

and I am amazed at the quietness of my Cat as we wait a second time.

He watches out the wide screen barrier, sphenix like, immuitable

the snow blows in the air in individual flakes avoiding the street

warily at all costs as it flows, slantwise, racing the wind downhill.

♥

.

#11

.

To be continued

♥

.

#26

.

The snow comes and goes

while the sunlight chases her shadow

as capricious as a fast growing serpent

shedding its outgrown form

~ and I shiver.

The winds rise and fall

with haunting resplendence

as the days wane

and the first night of winter

arrives, cold and dark,

~ and I shiver.

The year declines with fragile grace

as I rush about to get las minute

tasks down as the curtain falls on

December's pale sun.

~ and I shiver as I consider

what a remarkable year

~ like a child's kaleidescope

changing hues and intensity

with each twist ~

and I remember.

♥

.

#27

.