I saw a cardinal shivering

On the drab limb of a tree

braced against the chill winds biting

He stood out for all to see

Like one of natures sore thumbs

Hitchhiking towards the spring

perhaps he was a prelude

to the colors spring would bring

Just a dab spilled from

The masters touch

A bright speckle flung free

a bright red passing fancy

Ina bland February.

Tiny emmisary passing

Through my backyard on a whim

Scarlet feathers so familiar

Warm my soul and make me grin

soon he'll come again

When leaves are green

And tulips kiss the wind

but for now he paints

a perfect scene

For the winter blues I'm in

Fluffing up his crimson feathers

Into a puff of cold despair

Over seeds not yet prolific

Juicy worms still sleeping where

The frozen earth lay bare.

Holding sustenance enough to fill

Your hollow gullet empty

So I sprinkle seeds across my deck

that you'd find quite tempting

But you were gone a red blur

Vanishing as whiteouts struck

and I was left to face the burr

In a blizzard gone amok....

Soon he'll come again

when leaves are green

And tulips kiss the wind

But for now he brought

a perfect scene

To the winter blues I'm in