Groundhog Day

By Solveig Paulson Russell

Grumpy Groundhog Gristletoe

Lay snug beneath the ground

When suddenly his slumber

Was troubled by a sound.

One eyebrow tweaked, one eyelid twitched,

He muttered, “What is that?”

Then drowsily he blinked and yawned

And up in bed he sat.

KERPLINK! KERPLUNK! “That sound again.

Whatever can it be?

Although I hate to stir myself

I’d best get up and see.”

So Grumpy Groundhog Gristletoe

Climbed slowly from his bed.

When he stood up suddenly,

Two drops splashed on his head.

“Ach me! The roof is leaking!

Dunderhead! Kershpoof!

Now I’ll have to leave my nest

And go plug up the roof.”

Then Grumpy Groundhog Gristletoe

Climbed up his winding stair

And pushed aside his heavy door

And looked out everywhere.

“Ach me! The snow is melting,

But the skies still are gray.

Can it really be so early

That springtime’s on its way?”

Grumpy Groundhog Gristletoe

Stepped out and turned around

But though he tried he couldn’t see

His shadow on the ground.

So Grumpy knew by groundhog law

There’d be less time in bed,

And that the joys of coming spring

Would fill his time instead.

Illustrated by Jerry Harston