Persimmons

A spirit’s breath sparkles cold on the windowpane

As I shiver with delight;

Flowers crinkle underfoot,

Frozen in the night

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Gloved hands stuff deep into pockets warm

Before they touch a nose;

The children laugh and run away,

With ecstasy that glows

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The foals and kids can’t keep inside

The pleasure that they feel;

They romp and play and frolic too;

They can't believe it’s real

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The play is tempting – yes indeed –

I stop and watch a while;

The children run and trip and fall

And roll up in a pile

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But I go to pick the first good fruits

That ripened overnight,

For though you can munch them before,

The frost makes them taste just right!