The Fairies: Hibernation in Winter

They come in the night, such a wondrous sight,

And their eyes and their wings danced in flames,

From the tiniest mite, to the gangliest sprite,

They laughed at the wonderful game.

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They sneaked in, in two's, and took off their shoes,

So as not to make a noise inside, then crept up the stairs,

With quiet and care,

Making sure too leave no one behind.

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And after they'd peeped, and saw three humans asleep,

They shifted around in a whirl,

'Down to the kitchen' hissed Violet Pippin,

The tiniest, tiniest girl.

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So, picking and poking, 'neath doors , under chairs,

Pulling at curtains, and skipping on stairs,

Whooshing and dropping marmalade on the floor,

Skating and hopping, pulling out drawers.

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A knock at the window , a giggle so soft,

Sweet sugared candy, carried aloft.

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Like birds oh so tiny, with a hush of Fae wings,

Small bodies like fire flies, such delicate things.

With mouths full of chocolate, and faces so red,

They sat covered in ice cream, with jam on their heads,

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Then, sudden movement, footsteps on the stairs,

Some still eating pudding, caught unawares,

A signal, a whisper,

A snatch of last bite,

Sweet fluttering, like oak leaves, as one, they took flight.

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Lights flickered and glittering, such a strange thing,

Like moonlight on water, a soft shimmering,

Reflecting like rainbows, in moons twilight glow,

They whisper and grumble, line up in a row.

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All slip through the window, holding fast to the pane,

Waiting for stragglers,

Then shut it again.

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Off into the trees, sharing the load,

Some fly to their bushes,

Others take to the road.

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Stores safe now for Winter, So cold it can be,

Food for their children, and warmth for their trees.

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As darkness descended, and peace reigns once more,

Please listen most carefully, for that knock on your door,

Don't shut all your windows, leave cupboards ajar,

For when winter does hit us,

They won't be afar.

 All poems written by M. Loveridge