WINTER'S RHAPSODY  ^®

Reflections of our Harmony wilderness ‘midst my winter wonderland.
Original, enlightening seasonal poetry by Donna J. Fennel.  Experience the mesmerizing magic enmeshed in serene Harmony Center, Arkansas.
Revised on September 14, 2005.

O'er our spiraling backwoods country roads, lost in time ~
Harbors a hopeful haven of heaven for my husband and me.
While we waltz and we wander from our troubles and hope  ~
Pray this wilderness welcomes we two, setting our spirits free.

Savoring these snow-brimmed boughs of lush balsam pines ~
As they overgrow in glistening groves 'midst their right-of-way.
Embroidered web of tapestries, woven in beauty through time ~
While their marshmallowed mittens in blustery breezes sway.

This serene sanctuary spawns a protective parapet of leaves ~
Decadently displayed in God's array, offering all hues of green.
A panoramic painting purveying picturesque portrait of peace ~
Woven into this wondrous winter world of such welcoming scene.

We watch, as the north wind ripples against river's mirrored face ~
While seducing the moon's sultry opalescence to wave and dance.
In merry abandon, till ubiquitous undulation vanishes sans trace ~
Ere so mesmerized yet tranquilized, as in transcendental trance.

We now rest in clearing pondering life, love and all in-between ~
While frogs chirp and croak their cosmic chorale of a solo song.
And crickets click their charismatic calls from locations unseen ~
As haunting hoot of owl whispers and wanes song, soft and long.

Now added to our idle, rambling thoughts of those yet to be seen ~
This forest draws us down its primordial path, distancing our plight.
As fireflies, 'pon gossamer wings, trace patterns crisp and clean ~
While sinuous stars pale in comparison, by their inability of flight.

Lost in thought, we drift towards sleep, vanquishing visions surreal ~
Cocooned in catacombed stupor, as we muse this tender eve away.
Dawn soon announces its approach, 'pon river's edge we now kneel ~
While moonlight evensong wanes, and sun births a grand new day.

Harmony's harbor of hills abound with meadows and glacial streams ~
Shrouded now and sleeping silently in snow, chanting final swan song.
Ah, we welcome wilderness in wonder, 'midst frailest of frozen ponds ~
For our Harmony dream presents its pristine scene, where we belong.

Deep footprint armies abound abandoned, etched in the frosty snow ~
Communiqué of crystalline streams and wayfarer winter winds that blow.
While wintertide dons her voluptuous, vacillating veil of snow and hail ~
She consternates and patiently awaits sunny quake o'er hill and dale.

Mountainous drifts are dedicated, silent sentinels, watching ere erect ~
This scene God dynamically directs, for He alone is infinitely perfect.
While frolicking fawns and foxes congregate near, creatures so dear ~
Leaving behind, for the curious to find, their trace of trails to follow here.

These fleeting moments in time ere sublime and serenity's silent bliss ~
O, the splendor of this winter's captivating, quenching kiss is all of this!
For January bedazzles and bedecks with her gorgeous garland time ~
While February romances and entrances us with her velvety valentine.

Hearken message heralded by fanfare of wintertide's awaking wind ~
As Mother Natures decks hills and dales with drape of drifting snow
Announcing our omnipotent Lord, tho unseen, reigns this region here ~
While His squadron of squalls and snowstorms would have us know.

Wizard of wintertide magic allures us with his mesmerizing majesty ~
As he proudly displays his alchemy of attributes for the world to see.
While we are lulled to sleep by softest sounds of winter's rhapsody ~
The world is, once more, enraptured in a realm of bewitching beauty.

'Tis those perfect geometric patterns of mystery that you and I see ~
When we magnify a snowflake of exquisite precision and symmetry.
Now creamy, voluptuous breast of winter releases her weary sighs ~
For winter has borne a babe new year, as the elder withers and dies.

Alas, poor old year, you must not die, for you came to us so readily ~
And you gave us hope and happiness, living 'mongst us ere steadily.
Ah, winter now draws her doleful drapes, preparing for her deep sleep ~
While we bid fond adieu to our old year, and for this we shant weep.