Advent - the animals

Shall hog with holy child converse?

Jesus dear

I lumber near

You may yank my tail

pull my ear.

I’ll make you a small

silk purse

                                Norma Faber

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they clamber around my feet

protesting life

demanding scraps

of chicken and affection

cats being cats

imperious

the early canter to the fence

snow covered beasts

ready to nuzzle for an alfalfa treat

and a few flakes of hay

mares and gelding alike

each gently sorting themselves

behind the pasture queen (Sadie)

in the woods the deer sneak along

ready to share the feast

emerging cautiously to nibble warily

at the edges of the hay

the quail waddle through the snow

leaving a trail

as they joyful gather

beneath the feeders

where sunflower seeds dot the whitened ground

invisible an owl

hoots as

the winter sun struggles into the frozen sky

ah the communion

of the woods

as this strange gathering of creatures

weaves their lives together with mine

to create a tapestry of

affection and acceptance

a tapestry of life

where all are valued

and sustenance is given

and shared

here in some small way

the lion and the lamb lay down

in this mystical web

of inter-dependency

so too the animals

the hog, the ass, the cow

the chicken, the donkey

perhaps a camel too

gathered around the

bed of the sacred child

a community of need and love

so too

do

we