The mist was thick and hung <br />a giant lacy drape across the meadow, <br />a lonely bee, to young to have yet stung, <br />resting to see about the famous shadow <br />that on this day decides the fate of some. <br /> <br />It was still early and the masses could be seen <br />waltzing through forests and tall grass to come, <br />daybreak was yet to wake, it, too was keen <br />to glimpse the future through the purple heather <br />of the Tolt River near the town North Bend. <br /> <br />It was the day when one small devil tells what weather <br />would reign from now and also if the cold would end. <br />And time went by as is its known and inborn habit, <br />the church bell tolled the number twelve when it was noon. <br />Down by the groundhog's lair wandered a rabbit, <br />an icy wind had started up, would it be rather soon <br />that Mr. Groundhog would step out to greet them, <br />reveal his shadow as he did here every year? <br /> <br />What was the hold-up on this day and would he meet them? <br />Well, let me tell you that this hog did not appear <br />that day at all, and there was talk that calculations <br />perhaps were faulty and the date was incorrect, <br />that no amount of expectations and of patience <br />would get the furry one to come and to reflect <br />for all to see what now would be in store. <br />So they went home to check the calenders and clocks. <br /> <br />Inside the home there was much silence and a snore <br />where Mr. Groundhog and his clan were wearing socks <br />and knitted beanies, and the embers were aglow. <br />When the wife brought up the subject she'd been told <br />'It is the first time I will say I will not go, <br />simple reason being it's too bloody cold.'<br /><br />Herbert Nehrlich<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/groundhog-2/
