If dogs were doodle bugs
and strawberries were slugs,
if socks had no toes,
and the cat had no nose,
if tulips had no lips
to sip sunshine,
I would love my little
niece, Reagan Blanche,
all the same even
if she had another name,
another name...
she's my very fine Valentine!
--Brenda Kay Ledford
Reprinted from my upcoming children's book,
Reagan's Romps, by: Kelsay Books.
Brenda
Oh, Christmas cactus
within your lovely space,
you chase away the cold winter winds.
Among your red blooms,
I recall the past seasons
when our family gathered
for the Christmas dinner
and unwrapped presents
before the flaming fireplace.
The cactus! The cactus!
Come give the cactus a song.
I caress your satin buds,
laugh, and sing carols.
Oh, Christmas cactus!
How do you know
to bloom on His birthday?
--Brenda Kay Ledford
I wish all my blogger friends a blessed Christmas overflowing with peace and joy!
Brenda
Brasstown Resort decked
with evergreen boughs,
red ribbons wrap the stairs,
mistletoe and wreaths hung.
Lights glow on the tree
trimmed with old-fashioned ornaments,
the logs brightly burning
in the rock fireplace.
The resort is filled with cheer,
merry Christmas music,
drinking apple cider,
the snowcapped pine branches,
and thousands of crystals glitter
on the Brasstown Bald;
cardinals chatter at the feeders,
paper chains hug the tree.
--Brenda Kay Ledford
This poem appeared in "West End Poet's Newsletter,"
December/January/ February 2021
www.westendpoetsweekend.com
I wish all my blogger friends a very Merry Christmas and joyful New Year!
Jesus is the reason for the season!!!
too many to count,
Father, we thank you.
For the angel clouds
floating through azure skies,
waterfalls roaring into rivers,
songbirds lifting praise
in the golden poplars.
Father, we thank you
for the sun rays glittering
like sequins on the purple mountains.
We offer our prayers
of thanksgiving for our family,
the sweet smiles of children,
and for the food you provide.
Lord, thank you that gratitude
is a precious offering
that the poorest can make
and be richer for giving thanks!
--Brenda Kay Ledford
I wish all my blogger friends a blessed and very Happy Thanksgiving!
Brenda
apple orchard grew above the frost line
on Shewbird Mountain.
Each fall he took the sled
through the woods glowing
with orange, ruby, and lemon leaves
to pick the apples:
the black beauty, horse apple, hog sweet,
red June, striped May, pumpkin apple,
queen pippin, pound apple, and Ben Davis.
The grandchildren climbed the trees
and picked dozens of fruit,
every red, yellow, and red striped apple.
They made apple cider, apple butter,
and Ma Minnie's dried apple stack cake
and apple dumplings melted in your mouth.
--Brenda Kay Ledford
You put on a show
tapdancing over the hills
dressed in bright garments:
orange, lemon, and cranberry.
Oh, October!
You are a sassy month
stopping carloads of folks
who flock to view the fall foliage
and you somersault on the wind.
Oh, October!
You are a naughty child.
On Halloween you deck
out in spooky costumes,
trick-or-treat
through out the night!
--Brenda Kay Ledford
This poem appeared in the September/October/November 2020 issue
of "West End Poets' Newsletter"
One autumn night
a Full Harvest Moon glows
over the Red Plank House.
The Bear Paw barn quilt
hangs on the old home.
Mama pieced the Lone Star
from the scrap box:
dresses, shirts, aprons, worn out.
Adventure in the mountains:
wildlife rangers chased
a black bear through
our front yard, across the porch.
Twin cubs climbed an oak,
Spot barked up the tree.
Bears wandered the woods
searching for berries and walnuts.
--Brenda Kay Ledford
If dogs were doodle bugs and strawberries were slugs, if socks had no toes, and the cat had no nose, if tulips had no lips to sip sunshine...
