Concern for animals and the destitute
inspired me to write this poem.

Wintertime is a time of death and change
and when nothing ever seems the same.
As I look outside I can see
the trees with their limbs empty of leaves
looking dark and dreary as can be.
The fall is when winter starts for me,
when the leaves fall, and the trees are free
from the protection they had,
and it seems so sad that they are all dead.
But soon in the spring they will bud
again
and the dreariness of winter will be at its end.
As people get old, they can't take the cold,
and freezing tempratures freeze to the bone.
I hope they can stay warm in their home and realize they are not alone.
The homeless people who have no place to go
need a helping hand to get in from the cold.
It shouldn't be like this in our land of plenty,
and it makes me wonder if those in charge
would even give a single penny to change this awful situation
for our country's salvation.
With hardships like these
makes me question where we are headed,
and with things not getting any better, makes it more dreaded.
The poor hungry animals out in the cold that need help to survive,
I hope nature and mankind will help keep them alive.
The hunger that exists for humans and animals
in this coldest time of the year
must make their existence
a time filled with fear.
It's not a good sight to see,
the desperation that is here in our land of the free.
Mankind should help those in need
otherwise they might not succeed,
in getting through this hard depressing season
without comfort and a reason.
I wish it didn't have to be,
as hard as it is for some I see.
This is a sad and lonely time of the year,
I pray that spring, new life, and hope will soon be here.


Copyright by Judith Pleasant 1/25/2004