Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi

Romans 8:26; Eph. 6:18

In the spirit I have prayed. I have prayed the sobbing prayer,
In wordless weakness trusting for the Spirit's groans to bear
Another heavy load of burdens to the Hearer ever there.
And I have not yet been answered, at least not that I'm aware.
(Would I recognize an answer? Could I find it? Seeking where?)
Though it seems I've been transplanted from a country warm and fair
There is something keeps me green through the winter of despair
In the frozen darkness bruised while others pass by unaware.
I don't know if I will blossom; can't say I really care,
But I'm evergreen in faith when mighty trees are cold and bare.

Hermina Janz Apr 15, 2009

Winter Echo

Snow on snow,
All the world below,
Silence the only crop to grow.

Days are slow,
Sun not far to go,
Darkness is the light we know.

Frost and blow,
Clothed in crystal glow,
Cold for comfort as a throw.
-HJ

At all times there is something saddening mixed with the sweetness of fulfilled wishes; for never, till then, do we realize their insufficiency to make us as happy as we have expected.
-Mrs. Alfred Gatty, The Hundredth Birthday.

After hearing a gentle rain falling all night, this is what we woke up to: a treacherous layer of ice on sidewalk, yard, driveway, and highway.