Winter Words
Mrs. Brewster spends her days collecting balls of snow
To throw—complete with hidden hearts of ice inside.   
When Mrs. B. confronts her boarder, snowflakes fly;
Then Mrs. Brewster flings cold things with careful aim
To maim this hoity-toity teacher whom she boards.     
Winter triumphs in this life as sin and snowballs grow.
 
Teacher spends her days dispensing light, then sweeps the snow
At night. She stoops, collecting water for outside—   
To make her garden green. When roses bloom, she picks
A thick bouquet; this birthday gift of grace she gives  
Her hostile hostess in return for winter words. 

Summer triumphs in this life as love and flowers grow.