Our special guests arrived today, along with the first soft snow

They sang a pleasant serenade, just to let us know;

That they'd arrived to cheer us as they patiently waited there,

Assuring a brighter winter in exchange for food and care.

 Our special guests swooped swiftly down from the snow filled feathery sky

Making a sudden dark shadow as they quickly caught our eye

Chirping and chattering endlessly in gaiety and glee

Awaiting their morning feeding of seeds and suet from me.

 The small charcoal feathered juncos neath the feeder are always found

Snatching the bits of goodies that tumble to the ground

The crimson-coated cardinal and the jay of royal blue

Could surely never hide themselves against the snowy view.

 We can hardly wait to welcome them, as they wend their way each year

For they fill our hearts with sunshine with their gaiety and cheer,

They never ever seem to tire, this happy feathered throng,

Chasing the gloom of winter with their happy joyous song.

Ruth H. Underhill

Merry Christmas one and all plus all

 good wishes for a wonderful  2024!

 Ruth Fenner, Provincial Historian, British Columbia Women's Institute