Rocking Around the Christmas Tree 2015

 

 Another chiaroscuro Solstice day spent on the Estuary,

Brief light arctic rain showers and a cold bite kept it fairly deserted,

 the way the Flaneur likes things to be,

 A day last week when the cold front first marched through 

on the phalanx of a nippy North wind,

Lakeside park was mobbed by great misfortunes of crows,

They densely populated the top branches of firs

But were restless and prone to take to the sky

Like ants spilling from an anthill

 Geese fed happily on new green lawns

While seagulls hunkered down passive yet alert,

The tumult of the crows spilled across the sky 

In the mounting winds of Winter

Mountain View Cemetery
Christmas day the weather remained chilly but with a brilliant sun

The Flaneur spent hours outdoors enjoying an infused chocolate,

A lunch of sardines and pumpernickel 

and a wee jar of  Christian Brothers brandy

Scattered hikers, an impromptu chat at Cogwell's monument,

An overall cheerful scene with  very few mourners

Deep peace came falling slow 

Passing a church I had prayed for grace 

And God was kind to me

Home for a feast replicating the one I had on Christmas eve

Tender bresats of wholesome free range chicken

Sweet and golden Yukon potatoes, peas, carrots, onion,

Broccoli and red bell pepper, cranberry sauce,

Ginger saps, fine coffee, highest quality cannabis, brandy.

Profoundly beautiful sacred music proceeded from my humble radio

As I read Peter Ackroyd's William Blake

Napping after my long hike, some oneiric lines of verse follow on,

Gratitude for such a profusion of blessings