The wolf woke up, chilled by the snow br That nestled on his nose, br He knew that snow was slow to go, br Thus faced the Winter woes... br The wolf was quite aware of these, br He'd faced them all before br And thus he yearned Spring's sweet release br When even snow must thaw... br br Till then, he knew that meals were rare, br So he must scavenge now br And eat his fill to fight despair, br Some future to allow... br His eyes and ears and nose took in br The clues that helped him live, br For these would help the wolf to win, br Another year to give... br br Survival proves the golden rule, br The hardest game there is br And for each one that plays the fool, br Life bids a farewell kiss... br The wily wolf must do his best br To greet the Spring next year br And while fresh snow is such a pest, br Its warning's crystal clear... br br br Denis Martindale, copyright, January 2013. br br br The poem is based on the magnificent painting br by Stephen Gayford called 'Fresh Snow'.