The Season Cometh… As I'm writing this, I'm sitting down after a long day of filling Christmas-time CD and T-shirt orders from the DRM website, getting the house ready for winter (yes—it's coming…), getting press releases out for upcoming shows, and baking a few cookies (chocolate chip!). I could feel the chill in the air today, and the overcast reminded me that snow is right around the corner. There is still much to do and so little time—especially here in Maine as the ground is starting to freeze. Sometimes it seems like the peas have barely been planted when the pumpkins are catching that first frost of the season. The march of the seasons persists, and here I find myself once again contemplating my holiday message to you in a perpetually troubled and wonderful world.  As I was preparing my thoughts for this message, I was reminded of a poem Christmas Bells written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who also lived in Portland, Maine—my home town. You may know it as the carol I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day. He wrote the poem soon after he'd learned that his son had joined up and was off to the war front in the Civil War against his wishes, and shortly after losing his wife in a house fire. It was a dark time for Longfellow. We've all had those moments of intense loss being made more intense by the holidays. Inspired by Longfellow's words, I put pen to paper this afternoon and created my own poem of the season.

'Tis the Season… A poem by Dave Rowe Dec. 1, 2015 Frost on creaking stair Leaves crinkle underfoot Still, crisp air tickles the nose The autumn has left its fleeting mark Soon flakes will cover fallow ground As winter takes its place Trees will be gathered and brought inside Glowing warmly in windows Laden with lights and garlands Anticipation and hope of rebirth For a world rife with hardships and pain Soon it shall come The day, the feasts, the parties Friends and families gathered by tradition Bound by love, embraces, and cheer Until the final day of the year So it continues, this year to the next So it shall always… __________________________ May the season bless you all, -Dave