the spirit of past decembers

blossoms coming from far warmer places
sit on our table with their enriching grace
bringing with them more than a simple trace
of the sunshine that we want upon our faces
the joy of summer that this winter graces
beyond this moment far beyond this place
we know the sun is warming a merry face
as through the sky it takes its daily paces
but here it's winter grey and wet and chill
yet we are buoyed by thought of warmer climes
and sunshine on the fresh december flowers
where on the hot lowland and the cooler hill
we longed for other more interesting times
and did not think those then our finest hours