It’s a December with a difference –
not only do we have
the doom and gloom of winter,
we also have a sense of sadness and fear
brought by Coronavirus.

Every day
I venture into our garden
to see what discoveries await me
and every day
there’s something new.

A massive toadstool,
resplendent in red
with white polkadots
(bigger than a plate!)

Two beautiful, pink, oriental flowers
which have sprouted, almost magically,
from the only two bulbs
that our squirrel hasn’t dug-up
(what can I say – he’s industrious
… and a little destructive
but oh, so cute!)

New leaves of bright green
on a wee, tiny shrub
that we rescued from cracks
in paving stones –
this shrub is thriving
in its new home!

A cheeky robin
who hops over beside me
and waits, with a beady stare,
for a scattering of suet pellets.

Evidence that a hedgehog
has visited our garden overnight
to forage in the (many!) fallen leaves –
wow!

So many wonders
in our garden,
so many little daily discoveries
to lift my spirits
in this dark winter of Coronavirus –
thank you, Lord!

© Claire Murray, 3rd December 2020