Winter’s slumber takes hold
Life rests from freezing cold
Living on the vast plains
God’s hand guides, holds the reins
Barren trees wait and watch
Fresh snow paints whitest swatch
Rhythm of life exhales
Time waits for springtime’s trails
North winds blow, chill the land
Hollow sounds, winter’s band
Cattle ask for more feed
Ranchers care for their needs
Clear, sunny skies pretend
Sly, cold temps now transcend
Daily routines slow down
More time to spend in town
Chinook winds warm the land
Snug tease, then cold expands
Quietness covers farms
Planting waits for spring’s charms
Neighbors check-in each day
Ready to help and pray
Most of my years of teaching in Montana were in small towns, surrounded by a community of farms and ranches. Life during the wintertime was challenging, but the close-knit people looked out for each other.
Big Sky Buckeye 
This poem reminds me of the beauty of winter on the farm where I grew up. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
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Susan, it is wonderful you grew up on a farm. I was actually a city kid when I was growing up in Montana. Little did I know that much of my years of teaching in Montana would be spent in farming and ranching communities.
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Your beautiful poem makes me long for winter.
God’s peace.
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Crissy, thanks for your kind words. I’ll save a slice of winter for you.
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Awww thank you. You are so kind. Please send express post 😉
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
brrrrrrrr-illiant!
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Jonathan, I appreciate you sharing this poem. Growing up and teaching many years in Montana brings back some of the memories found in this poem.
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THERE YA GO!
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Wonderful poem, Richard. I am sure that in such small towns the neighbors need to rely on each other.
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Jim, your thoughts are right on. Small farming and ranching communities need to work together, and it is a fabric that ties everyone together.
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it must feel wonderful to be part of such a community…
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I must admit there are times when I miss the closeness of community.
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it must have been tough to leave such a close-knit community, especially when you were such an integral part of it.
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Jim, you are a good mind reader.
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Seems the rest of our world today can learn from Montana natives during the Winter
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Montanans are a hardy lot, but we have plenty of winter cousins in the Dakotas, Minnesota, Wyoming, and other northern states in the Midwest. Writing about winter allows me to share what I enjoy about the season. I must admit, though, I don’t appreciate the Arctic cold when it is amplified by gusty winds.
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Wow Arctic cold…that’s too cold for me!
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