Brown Hare was out searching for some tasty winter grass, as is snowed, overhead hundreds of birds fluttered past
He watched them with joy from the field where he sat, then spotted a distressed bird darting this way and that
My Dear little bird please tell me what is the matter? “I cant find a coat!” He cried through his chit and his chatter
For it is time to flock to the thrush family ball, where all Robins and Blackbirds and Nightingales call
They all have smart red coats but I cannot find mine, so upset was the bird in his eyes bright tears shined
With a smile Hare said gently it’s because you are young, once you are bigger you will grow the finest red one!
For you my dear friend are a Robin don’t you see? A sure sign of winter like the snow of the trees
You will drop your first feathers and this I can vow, then grow a splendid red chest of which to be proud!
With relief Robin knew he really did belong , and flew off to his family with his heart full of song

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post The Hare and the Robin Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

A glistening blanket of white snow covers Crabtree Farm
A happy gaggle of geese were nestled quietly in the barn
Gordon the Farmer waves at the feathered ladies as he drives past
Suddenly the old tractor spluttered and backfired with a terrific blast

“Argghhh” cried the geese and madly flew this way and that
Geraldine took the full force and fell into a puddle with a splat
Dazed and confused she lay there looking up at the snow fluttering down
Her eyes were fuzzy and her ears were ringing with a deafening sound

She spent a week in the farmers wife’s kitchen keeping warm by the fire
The shock had terrified Geraldine and left her feeling very tired
The feathers around her neck had fallen out leaving her sore and cold
Each evening Edna took out her knitting balls of wool neatly rolled

Clickity – clack went her knitting needles which soothed Geraldine to sleep
On Christmas morning she felt so much better and leapt to her feet
Hang on! Cried Edna, I have made you a special gift, just wait and see
She pulled out a beautiful woollen red scarf with excitement and glee

As she wrapped it around Geraldine’s neck, she had tears in her eyes
Her very own handmade gift, little Geraldine was speechless in surprise
Edna smiled as she watched the little goose run off with so much pleasure
For Christmas is really about the little things and moments to treasure.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post The Christmas Scarf Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

As the first drift of snow begins to fall, the magic of Christmas draws near
The forest glistens and sparkles with everyone in festive cheer
With the ground covered in a frosty blanket of crunchy white snow
Little Hare scampers along leaving pawprints where she goes
As the smell of plum pudding and hot chocolate fills the air
Carefully carrying her gift she makes her way there
Her very dear friend she cannot wait to see
Mr Bear will be singing and trimming his tree
For no other she knows loves this season quite like he
Cracking chestnuts by the fire his face fills with glee!

But Bear is so sad when January finally comes around
Which is why she is excited by the gift she has found
Arriving at last she knocks on his tinsel covered door
“Ho Ho Ho”!! he cries running across the floor
“Merry Christmas little Hare, come in come in”!
I have fruitcake and games and carols for us to sing!
“Wonderful! Dear friend, but first, grant me my wish”
And with that she carefully hands him his very special gift
“Oh My”! says Mr Bear and has to sit down in surprise
Pulling back ribbon and glittery tissue Bear has tears in his eyes
For it’s a Christmas wonderland in a globe to enjoy all year round
Mr Bear is so emotional he just can’t make a sound
He grabs little Hare in the biggest of biggest Bear hugs
For Christmas is really, after all, all about LOVE…xxx

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post The Bear and the Hare in Winter Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

One blustering winters night, when the trees folded over in a stormy gale
A young hare struggling to make her way, tripped on a tree root and fell forwards into a hole
Down and down she tumbled, into a dusty place of lost and ancient things
She landed with a bump on a large old book covered in moss and twine
Ever so slowly she opened the heavy cover and the pages began to flutter

Millions of tiny glowing stars burst from the book throwing back her long velvet ears
As she blinked her eyes against the brightest of golden lights spinning all around her
She could just make out the shape of a huge Snowbear walking towards her through the swirling light
He appeared like a glittering wish, a sweet dream half remembered
Sparkling frosted light and snowflakes fluttered behind him as he approached

His fur was the crispest white of snowy mountains and streaks of gold shimmed from within his skin
He looked at her with kind chestnut eyes that twinkled with honey gold flecks
“I am the guardian of the book” he softly spoke, “what do you seek little one”?
Shyly she lowered her eyes and shuffled her feet, “I wish for a friend” she whispered

His face broke into a glittering smile, “I have such wonderous sights to show you”
She took his paw which was wonderfully warm and gentle, and they flew into the book
Snowflakes and golden letters spun wildly past them as they tumbled through the pages
Out they burst under a dark velvet starry sky, floating down landing with a soft crunch on the snow
Little Hare gasped as she looked around at the beautiful world she found herself in

There were snow covered mountains and lakes, forests and ice castles in the distance
“Shall we take a ride”? asked Snowbear, scooping her up onto his glittering furry back
“Woohoo!” she cried as he took off from the ground and flew high, he actually flew!
They soared over the gleaming frozen lake and waved at penguins and sealions
As they swished through the tree tops she reached out and felt the tickle of the pine needles on her paw
She felt such warmth in her heart, she was on an adventure and she had her very own Snowbear! x

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Snow Bear and the Magic Book Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Dylan was a shy and quiet little donkey, a bit different from the rest
His heart, however, was so enormously big that it filled out his fluffy chest
The farmer worried that he would be unable to safely do his daily chores
So, while the others did all the heavy work Dylan had to stay indoors
As Christmas Eve crept near it began to snow and poor Dylan’s sadness grew deep
Wishing he could just be useful in some way, he softly cried himself to sleep
But at this magical time of year things can happen and his wish was secretly heard
A messenger was sent from the North Pole in the form of a special little bird
Sweet beautiful bird song gently woke Dylan up the very next day
A little robin redbreast was sat staring at him in a bed of glistening golden hay
“I can help you” said the bird, “but from here you must now leave”
Dylan’s heart was brave and true, so he joyfully decided to believe
Robin led him through an overgrown hedgerow path guarded by a fox,
Dylan’s heart thumped as there stood a very old and faded red postal box
It was glittering strangely, tucked behind a wall of Ivy hidden from view
It was certainly magical and could only be found by those who truly knew
“Now remember your special wish” said Robin and Dylon closed his eyes
With a woosh a letter appeared in his mouth much to his surprise
“Post it through here” smiled the Robin “and your wish shall be granted “
As the letter dropped it glowed from inside for it was truly enchanted
When Christmas Eve arrived, the donkeys were worried Dylon was nowhere to be seen
Suddenly a distant tinkling of bells drew them to run out and look up to the night sky
Gasping they saw their beloved Dylon flying up high with the reindeer with a smile that beamed
His wish had come true, he was now the happiest of donkeys and bursting with pride
So never give up on your dreams, whatever they are, for you really never know
Someone just might be listening, someone to whom all your secret wishes go.

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Donkey’s Wish Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

There is a sprinkle of magic in the frosty air tonight, for this is Christmas Eve
Woodland folk gather together with good cheer because they firmly believe
Each year on this night there is a special visitor from up above
Spreading happy tidings, delivering gifts with jolly laughter and love

Snowflakes gently begin to fall as they gaze up eagerly at the stars
Everyone closes their eyes and makes a special wish from their hearts
In the distance there is a soft jingling sound and the robin excitedly tweets
Here he comes! It’s the winter wonderland sleigh bearing lots of yummy treats

With a sudden woosh across the sky the glittering sleigh bursts into view
Presents drop into the trees where the owls catch the crying “twit twoo”
The reindeers jingle their bells waving to the animals cheering down below
Flying high on their magical dust which make their antlers glow

A feast the animals will now enjoy of wild mushroom stew and cranberry pies
Hugging each other goodnight they stretch, yawn and hibernate with contented sighs
As they huddle together knowing the greatest gift is having each other near
A Christmas lullaby is softly sung to welcome in a Happy New Year

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Christmas Magic Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

As the snow gently fell Squirrel and Hare pulled up their hoods
As they merrily made their way skipping through the woods
For this is the night they look forward to each year
It’s Mr Stags famous festive feast of good cheer!
The smell of spices and joyful carols they could hear
And also see fairy light lanterns flickering as they drew near
Garlands of bells and mistletoe hanging from every tree
Such delights through the windows they could now see
Badger and Fox were handing out wooden toys
To the children running around with such festive joy
Gleaming baubles and gingerbread, fir cones and stars
Tawney owl handing out jellied sweets from frosted jars
The table was bursting with juicy berries and golden pies
Oh, I hope our bellies will be bigger than our eyes!
And even though its chaos and the place will be in a muddle
The evening always ends with cosy fireside Christmas Cuddles xx

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Christmas Cuddles Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

Little Bunny Binky awoke with a squeak
Finally, it was Christmas morning so no time to sleep
She hopped out of bed and there to receive
Was a gift of a fluffy slipper because she believed
It had something in there and a shiny red bow
She peeked in with her whiskers as far as they’d go
Her paws fell upon something soft and thick
And to her delight it was a scarf beautifully knit
Now she would be cosy from top to toe!
And with that she ran out to play in the snow

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Bunny Slipper Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.

The winter hare always has to be so cunning and clever
He scampers about in the open despite the awful chilly weather
For precious food becomes sparse when the temperature drops
Shimmering snow covers the fields and there are no more farmers crops
As a wise and mystical creature, the hare will always survive
Chewing moss and hunting for berries they dig and they dive
As glittering snowflakes softly fall and land on his wet nose
The shining moon above watches over him wherever he goes
As others silently hibernate, the hare travels all winter long
But soon it will be spring and the birds will burst into sweet song
The harshness of winter will be a distant memory for the hare
As sunshine returns bringing an abundance of food to share
Refreshed and relaxed he will be sipping fresh water from the lake
Remembering his long days chasing berries and snowflakes

All artwork and poems copyright protected by the Artist. Sarah Reilly, Love Country by Sarah Reilly. All rights reserved.

The post Berries & Snowflakes Keyring appeared first on Love Country by Sarah Reilly.