Winter Thoughts Poem by Ellen Ni Bheachain

As Autumn leaves and Winter begins,
So does the colour of autumn to chilled winter,
For the golden browns and amber in shades,
Turn to grey clouds and ice chills,
Of snowy hills where blankets of snow begin and show,

With the season greetings and family celebrations,
Tis no place for the lonely,
Or the homeless people,
Cold season and its isolation,
Winters exposure is not kind to the unsheltered,
For in wintertime people gather indoor
For the homeless with no shelter
Winter shows its cruel exposures,

Winter also brings good cheer and tidings,
It also brings out the cold and reality,
For when people enjoy the festive season,
Some are left lonely and isolated,
With others to wander seeking refuge from the cold,
Winter is a mixed emotion,

When in Summer and Autumn,
Where nature trails and outdoor meets,
The weather is kinder to everybody,
However, when Winter arrives it will show,
Who has what and who has not,
By seeing the isolated alone and the homeless left out in the cold,

Winter shows the warmth of open fires and seasonal greetings,
Of lavish homes and homely places,
All in good cheer and spirits in celebration,
Yet, winter will show,
The lost and the outcast,
Of no fixed abode or family to gather with,
Left looking on yet,
Not apart or with any to gather with,

Its winter when we reflex and ponder,
Of the year near ending and what we have achieved,
What we have neglected or put off again,
What we have lost or had to endure,
Winter reflections can bring sorrow and pain,
Or laughter with good gains,
Winter and its mixed emotions,

With the gainful means we all celebrate and laugh,
While those in sorrow and pain,
Are left quiet and shadowed,
Like the lost and forgotten of yesterday,
Gone like the leaves of Autumn,
Left in the chill winds of the winter,
With no shelter or a place to call home,
Covered by a blanket or a card box mat,
With despair setting in,
While some hope keeps them going,

So, remember when the Winter sets in,
And you are one of the fortunate to have a home,
When festive season comes round again,
Give winter thoughts to those who have none,
And when you see them on the street,
Show some kindness,
By giving them something,
If you can,
For Winter thoughts are happy and sad,
Happy for some,
And sad for many.