Cedar Lake

Awake! Cedar Lake

Dawn blushes to the herald-songs

Of early rising birds: Warm arias

Welcome day and stir small bodies

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Cocooned in wool, love-tucked in

Thermal wraps against the chilly

Kisses night steals. Screened porch

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Fills with nose tickles; teasing scents

Of syrupy coffee, marshmallowed cocoa

And damp woodland compost. Just

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A few more minutes(pulling blankets

Overchin)of sleep? Please, sandman,

Bespell these eyes..oh no, sizzling

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Bacon in the big iron pan wakes

Tummies too, now a-grumbling, the

Salty aroma forces the slow climb

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From sleep. Little bodies unturtle

From their blanket shells as the old

Trundle bed squeaks and groans

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With mutual protest. Slipping from bed,

Brother and sister pad barefoot across

The plank floor, noses lifted to track

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The breakfast scents on air. Granma

At the stove, raises her arm and with

A point of her finger sends both to wash

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Before eating. Grownups are huddled

Around the table like “Sunday Warriors”

Clutching steaming coffee cups and

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Talking plans of the new day. Sunshoots

Stray in streaks through the screens,

Hinting of swimming warmth to come.

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Giggling as we eat, anticipating fun,

Last sands of sleep are banished as

Another day at Cedar Lake’s begun.

©Charles Elledge 2000