[NOTE: This was written for places with dry fallow summers, where the main growing season is a mild wet winter.] Winter Construction We're half the year away From May. The dance of the ribbons and the joyful proclamations Of the season of outdoor frolic Are but dim memories, distant and unreal. This is a time for turning inward, As Nature rebuilds the world. As the cool rains of winter Bring new life to the parched land We gather 'round the hearth By Jack-O-Lantern light To welcome back old friends From the other side of Eternity. Then we defy the deepest darkness With strings of artificial stars And feast on songs of joy Among loved ones in the here and now. Finally, as the sun takes its first baby steps back to us We can begin to look forward To another season of light, When Nature once again takes down Her cold gray Construction signs And the time of outdoor frolic is proclaimed anew. -- Tom Digby First Draft 11:52 Sat October 22 2005 Edited 13:33 Sun October 23 2005 Note added 17:24 Wed October 26 2005 Note edited 14:42 Sun October 30 2005