Backyard soldier...

Winter Sentinel

At the kitchen island

inside eating lunch

I felt someone was watching me

- it was just a hunch.

Glancing out the window

I saw my hunch was true.

A stoic one-eyed face

was filled with attitude.

First he looked to have a smirk

 a challenge meant for me

to come outside and have look?

He'd wait there by the tree.

Outside, things looked different.

Of course, they always do.

The warm breeze, the shining sun

gave me a different view.

With the shadow of a frown,

he now looked rather sad.

What was the fella thinking?

Nothing's quite that bad. 

Sun was shining, warm breezes blew.

Clouds had disappeared.

Looking up, I noticed sky

where once were only leaves

and at his feet was cooling earth

no need for canopy.

Ahh..  I understand.  I feel it too.

I know this lovely day

will disappear, with chilling winds

soon turned to winter's gray.

I'm sorry you are stuck out here

to face the frozen blasts.

To weather winds and shoulder snow,

enduring bleak forecasts.

It does seem an unfair fate

to one who, weeks before,

had blessed the world with yellow notes

of autumn's glorious score.

       

I promise I will not forget

you're out here standing guard,

Mustering all your strength to be

spring's beau of the backyard.

While you're not the tallest soldier,

you're very much held dear.

You'll be the first I notice.

as you're the first to bring me cheer.

~ Becki B.