Colors of December

Colors of December

Over the years, as long as I can remember,

Winter’s gift of snow came in December.

Winds would howl through the leafless trees,

And Jack Frost’s artwork upon our windows to see.

I and my brothers unaware of the reasons,

Simply looked forward to snow in its season.

Out the front window, we hurried over to view,

The lushness of the white blankets appreciated by few.

It was the cycle of life that we shared every year,

Winter’s white fluffy stuff we always held dear.

It wasn’t a fascination to those who got stuck in ruts,

Or those who had to abandon their cars or their trucks.

For me and my brothers, it wasn’t something to ponder,

As we hurried to get dressed and then out the door to wander.

Down slippery steps, we descended with care,

Hoping to find the excitement we had been told was there.

Snowflakes touched our tongues as we stood watching,

The snow flurries being tossed towards the forest’s outcropping.

It wasn’t our first time venturing into the snow,

Always things to discover, fantasies to know.

In the coal camps of West Virginia this vision we lived,

In a time filled with magical moments if we only believed.

I travel to that place in my mind as I remember,

Windows filled with frosty artwork and winter’s gifts in December.

Mom in the kitchen cooling up some dinner,

Smells floating from the house, stew put on simmer.

Yellow potatoes, smelly white onions, and orange carrots,

Filled the large cooking pot, mom’s love and full of merit.

Winter sang as breezes pushed against the house,

Calling us inside and to be quiet as a church mouse.

Shaking our coats and removing our soaked galoshes,

We kept our peace not a word about the wet swatches.

Mom called us all to come sit at the table,

No matter how wet or trembling or unable.

We each took our seat and waited our portion,

After being warned and issued a precaution.

It’s those colorful times that I remember most,

White snow, red noses, faces all aglow.

And, each time I chance to remember,

I can still see the colors of December.