The sun is rising earlier with each passing day

This means my daily routine can start without delay

No need to wait for the sun to finally appear

Now when I wake up I have to get myself into gear

It’s still a little chilly but not too hard to bear

No need for me to put on long underwear

I now can put on sneakers, no need for any boots

The path is now so much drier along my well travelled route

I saw my first robin earlier last week

This is the one bird that I  sorely seek

When I get a glimpse of one I know that spring is here

Two days later I was fortunate to see our Canada geese appear

I heard their honking before I saw them in the air

There wasn’t a flock of them, just a single pair

Then yesterday I saw something that I thought I never would

This was witnessed a few streets away in my own neighbourhood

I give my dog all the credit, I would have missed it all

There were eight wild turkeys just to my left, all standing tall

Good thing he was on his leash because he might have chased them down

Perhaps, being a collie he might have even herded them closer into town

I’ve been taking my walks downtown over the entire winter season

I know the sidewalks are always clear and I take it for that very reason

This is the passageway I take on my daily beat

When the temperature rises you may run into strangers on the streets

I have already witnessed these poor people sleeping here and there

If you venture into this area, please be well aware

I’ve seen our local police force out there on patrol

Taking care of these homeless people is a vital role

I wish there was a magic cure or remedy to help this unfortunate group

It seems so many of them are destined to continue on this endless loop

This is a sample of what I experience every day on my walk

Joy and tragedy separated by just a few city blocks

I watched my “Blackhawks” play the “Capitals” on Friday night

The game was in “Washington” and the fans were packed in tight

They were all there to watch “Alex Ovechkin” play

Knowing he was now only three goals away

So if he scored a hat trick he would move to number one

He would end up tying “Gretzky” before the night was done

“Chicago” had to pull their goalie and an opportunity was set

“Alex” didn’t want to beat the record scoring into an open net!

The “Caps” came out with a five to three win

He had a few more opportunities once the goalie was put back in

He fired some great shots on net but just ran out of luck

The hometown booed the goalie every time he stopped the puck

So Sunday Afternoon would turn out to be his day

He scored his 895th goal on the power play

The crowd went ballistic even though they were playing out of town

This meant that he now held the “NHL career goal scoring crown”

The game came to a halt right then and there

There was a presentation at “Center Ice” for everyone to share

Some words of praise from “Bettman” and “Gretzky” were told

Presentations to “Ovechkin” and his family while this game was put “on hold”

It took about a half hour for this ceremony to be done

The “Islanders” defeated the “Capitals” by a score of four to one

I was glad that I was able to witness this whole show

Here are some weird facts that I thought you should know

As far as stats go “Gretzky” has only played one game more

It’s hard to believe that they are only separated by one score!

“Gretzky” held this record for thirty one years in all

This seems to be a pattern when this record will fall

“Howe” passed “Richard” in “63”, “Gretzky” passed him in “94”, now it’s 2025

The next one should come around in “2056” if you’re still alive

As for total career points “Gretzky” will always top the list

After counting all his goals you can add another 1963 assists!

My “Blackhawks” have nine games left and their season is done

Second last in the league and well out of a possible playoff run

“San Jose” occupies the basement but has two games in hand

Just two points behind “Chicago”, can you understand?

Once again we are in contention for pick number one

Of course we won’t know until the season is done

We will end up with more points than our previous year

Not really much of an improvement if I want to be sincere

This team could still end up in last place when this year is completed

Depending on how many more times they are defeated

They will be showcasing a lot of their young talent in the games remaining

It will be a chance to see them in action, so I’m not complaining

It will be interesting to see how many more they will win

Personally I am getting tired of being on the outside, looking in

I see a pattern that this team has used before

They need another “young gun” to help “Connor Bedard” score

It took just three years to win it all after “Kane” and “Toews” were united

So if we draft a great linemate we may have every reason to be excited!

They have so many young stars ready to shine

I think the future is looking fine

This year they have been more competitive but seem to just fall short

They need to bring in some great free agents to give them support

I think it’s time to give their youngsters free rein

It shouldn’t be too long before we are in the playoffs once again

This team is in the top ten in “penalty killing” and the “power play”

Get the right line combinations and we could be well on our way

So if they get the right pieces and put them in place

Perhaps next spring they could be in a playoff race

It’s now been a decade if you can recall

That this storied franchise last won it all

It would be so fitting for another reason

Next year the “Blackhawks” will be in their “Centennial” season

“You are who your friends are” is a phrase you’ve heard before

This brings me to hockey legends “Wayne Gretzky” and “Bobby Orr”

“Gretzky” is the greatest forward anyone has ever seen

“Bobby Orr” is the best defenceman that has ever been

These are legends and “Canadian” household names

Now their reputations are going down in flames

You see they are pals with “Donald Trump” and have his back

That’s why these hockey heroes are coming under attack

Back in “2020” “Orr” wrote a testimony of “Trump” in a full page ad

Him and his wife “Peggy” backed him, which made his hometown mad

His name has been tarnished but now he has been relegated to second place

In the hearts of “Canadians”, “Wayne Gretzky” is the biggest disgrace

His thumbs up for the “American” team in the “Four Nations Cup” caught everyone’s eye

Now all of us are wondering what’s the matter with this guy?

“Trump” made him “Governor” of his 51st state

“Wayne” hasn’t said anything, we just sit and wait

His wife has defended him and says his heart is broken

So if he is so troubled, why hasn’t he spoken?

“Trump” said he was a “free agent” on his “Truth Social” site

Words from “Donald Trump” aren’t going to make things right

“Mar-a-Lago is a golf course where “Gretzky” and “Orr” choose to play

Pictures taken with their “MAGA” caps on, proudly on display

Both of these athletes are held in high esteem

It’s looking like they aren’t the men that they seem

“Actions speak louder than words” is another saying that comes to mind

It’s looking like some “Oilers” fans are being unkind

There is a statue of “Gretzky” in “Edmonton” in front of “Rogers Place”

Someone took the time to rub crap all over its face!

“Canadians” were hoping “Ovechkin” wouldn’t take the career goal scoring lead

I’m sure a lot of them are hoping that he is able to succeed

Now they are behind him in this scoring quest

This will be a category were “Gretzky” will be “second best”

So the tariff war is continuing and I see no end in sight

Things have gone so wrong, will we ever get it right?

Looks like our next store neighbours are demanding some respect

Are we supposed to kiss “Trump’s” ass before or after we genuflect?

So rather go on a rant about this subject for another week

I decided to find some good news items that we sorely seek

Funny headlines that could only happen in “Canada” is the article I read

Here’s hoping I can bring you something comical instead

I surfed the net to find some cheerful news

In fact there was so many, it was hard for me to choose

I looked for stories that originated in “Canada” so we may relate

Not sure when these events occurred because they didn’t supply the date

RCMP officers in “Saskatchewan” got wind of an underage frosh party going down

It was happening north of “Regina” and “Lumsden” was the name of the town

They left a message on the party’s “Facebook” page instead

“Will bring chips and salsa and possible charges” is what they said

They kept their promise and setup a check and stop outside the party’s location

Making sure there was no drinking and driving after the celebration

In “Nova Scotia” a woman’s car was stolen from a parking lot

It turns out it wasn’t a carjacking like she originally thought

There was an identical car parked in the spot next to her

People are baffled on how this incident did occur

Seems like his key fob was able to start her car

He was riding around, I really don’t know how far

When he realized that this wasn’t his vehicle after all

He then proceeded to head back to that shopping mall

He stopped and filled her gas tank along the way

He tracked her down a little later in the day

I guess things went smooth, there was no major clash

The woman reimbursed him for the fuel and paid it in cash

“The Most Canadian Car Thief” is what the headline read

It was nice to write something amusing instead

There was a time in the United States when Donald Trump did not  run

Didn’t know anything about his daughters or his sons

Long before this man had attained any appeal

Way before he published the art of the deal

Now he is back and has no bounds

Who thought it could be worse the second time around?

He wants to rename the “Gulf Of Mexico” and that’s not all

There’s talk of him wanting to continue his border wall

He started in January and isn’t even spring

Dealing with new tariffs seems to be his latest thing

His dedicated followers still believe everything he has to say

Not realizing how much money that they will have to pay

He looked north to “Canada” and this is what he sees

The fifty first state is what he wants it to be

Calling “Trudeau” the “Governor” of this land

How he got re-elected I will never understand

Some things aren’t going as planned

Is he still talking about purchasing “Greenland”?

Getting “Musk” to fire workers by email

Even his orange complexion is starting to pale

Are the tariffs coming? Yes or No?

Just make up your mind, we want to know

I know you don’t know the details

How do you decide is it just heads or tails?

There is something you should know

You’re decision making is a little slow

This has happened two months in a row

There is something that you aren’t realizin’

Us “Canadians” aren’t going to let you have your way

Turns out you may have to adjust your bookkeeping

Looks like your country will have to pay

How can you treat your neighbours this way?

This is the tip of the iceberg, we aren’t done

Clearing our shelves of “Kentucky” whiskey

We as a nation are united as one

How can you treat your neighbours this way?

This is the tip of the iceberg, we aren’t done

Elbows up, pull up your britches

We as a nation are united as one

We are “Canadians” we don’t usually complain

“Donald Trump” you are a royal pain

We can’t sit back and let you have your way

It’s not just us that will have to pay

“Ontario” shutting electric power down

Coming soon to one of your cities or towns

It’s going to cost your “truckers” a little more bread

Toll fees for truckers going to Alaska is coming instead

We are just at the bottom rung

We aren’t close to being done

Are you beginning to understand?

This is “Our Home And Native Land”

Alberta may cut off your oil

Is your blood coming to a boil?

Don’t try to land in our country on your “Air Force One”

You’re the only reason why all this trouble has begun

The friendship between our countries is real

When you are in power it loses its appeal

Maybe you have no intentions of making a proper deal

Once your term is over, our relationship will heal

I am reminded of that old saying that comes up every year

The one you hear when spring is getting near

The mantra is now centuries old

Echoed by generations that were tired of the cold

If we are to assume there is some validity to this phrase

Spring is just around the corner, you can count down the days

“March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb”

Hopefully “Mother Nature” delivers and we don’t fall to another scam

The month has come roaring in and delivered record cold

I’m keeping my fingers crossed as the next few weeks unfold

The last few days, an event has been happening every morning

I wake up and read an alert about a heavy snowfall warning

It was widespread and many major cities were affected

Some areas received a lot more than was expected

So it’s done and should be all downhill from here

Instead of steady accumulations, the snow should soon disappear

Decided to do some research as I sometimes do

It seems this saying was first published in 1732

It says a “British” author has this claim to fame

He wrote a book of proverbs and “Thomas Fuller” was his name

So that was almost three centuries ago, 293 years to be precise

This is just an old adage, can’t be taken as sound advice!

This came from “Great Britain”, now I understand

The weather there is different from our “home and native land”

So what am I supposed to do now that this reality has set in?

Who knows when spring will really begin?

So I’ll keep the snowblower tuned up and my shovels close by

Three more weeks of cold is something I can’t deny

The days are getting longer and I can shovel in the sun

Who am I fooling, this winter isn’t close to being done!

In fact I’m getting so chilly that I have to turn up the heat

This is my final line and now this poem is complete

Did anybody happen to watch that hockey game on Thursday night?

Hats off to “Chantal Kreviazuk” who started things off right

Changing the lyrics of our “National Anthem” for “Donald Trump” to understand

By singing “true patriot love that only us command”!

That was in protest of “Trump’s” babbling of “Canada” becoming the 51st state

The fact that this game was in “Boston” made it all great

Once the opening ceremonies were complete it was time to play

Dropped the puck at center ice while the crowd was yelling “U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A.”

No fights eight seconds in like the game before

As much as I like a good bout, I’m glad there wasn’t an encore

The teams stuck to hockey and the game could have gone either way

With the championship on the line , both sides made some great plays

Canada’s “MacKinnon” opened up the scoring and got the first one

“Brady Tkachuk” tied it up before the first period was done

“Jake Sanderson” would score for the “Americans” to take a 2-1 lead

“Sam Bennett” would tie it up for “Canada” thanks to a great “Mitch Marner” feed

The third period was great but neither team would score

This meant we would be going to overtime and there would only be one more

The greatest current hockey player would live up to his role

It would be “Connor McDavid” that would score the winning goal

Once again it was “Marner” who would set him up

This would lead to “Canada” winning the “4 Nations Cup”

I am so excited at the fact that we won this game

I insist however in bringing up another name

We wouldn’t have even come close to accomplishing this feat

If it wasn’t for “Jordan Binnington” we would have went down in defeat

This goaltender frustrated the “Americans” time and time again

He is the only reason we continue our reign

He stood on his head as everyone observed

All these accolades I preach are well deserved

Congratulations to “Team Canada” being successful in their quest

Some of them had to play their next regular season game with less than 2 days rest!

“Donald Trump” is out on a “tariffs” tear

Something that all of us are so well aware

Starting next month he is putting his plan into action

Seems he isn’t happy unless he’s the object of distraction

He seems to be more unhinged this term if that is conceivable

The way he is governing “America” is truly unbelievable

There is nothing holding him back, he has been given “free reign”

The “Republicans” are standing in line kissing his ass once again

He’s got “Elon Musk” alongside him, his partner in crime

This relationship has been going on for some time

They look like they are two leaders of a “cult”

There’s no telling what will happen to “America” as a result

Meanwhile north of their border, “Canada” has to weather the storm

Dealing with this “lunatic” has to become the “norm”

He tries to intimidate us with his verbal attacks

If he does implement his “tariffs”, our leaders have our backs

“Canada” sits here waiting and is anticipating a fight

Unlike “Donald’s” nation, we will stand together and unite

Our “Provinces” and “Territories” know what is at stake

We will stand united no matter what measures this man takes

“Buy Canadian” is already becoming our rallying call

An anthem that will be followed by one and all

“Trump’s” plan is to do this to all his “trading friends”

This could be the beginning of a new “worldwide” trend

This is his way of showing his might

Like everything “Trump” does, it’s not thought out right

His advisors have told him that “Americans” will be affected the most

Us “Canadians” are in for the long haul from coast to coast

It’s an ego trip for “Trump” he’s in it for himself

Our liquour stores are beginning to take “American” booze off the shelves

We are not intimidated no matter what you do or say

We stand firm and are prepared for whatever comes our way

I know I have talked about my “dog walks” time and time again

Once I finish with these excursions it’s time to exercise my brain

There are daily challenges that I endeavour to do

I proceed to tackle them when our hike is through

I change up my “apps” every once in a while

Playing word games is much more my style

There are so many to choose from and vary in degree

Only one of them has stood the test of time for me

I put the onus on my “father”, he’s the one to blame

The  person who got me hooked on the “crossword puzzle” game

He bought those little books at the local corner store

Solved all the puzzles and proceeded to buy some more

I guess he inspired me as I now continue to do mine

However I don’t purchase the booklets, I do them online

There is one game that I particularly enjoy

If you were still alive, I think you would have liked it also “Roy”

Every month, twenty levels are added to their site

I take up the challenge and play them from morning until night

This means one hundred puzzles for the month to play

For some reason I try to do them all in one day

I kept up with them for years right from the start

That was until my computer tablet fell apart

After I purchased a new one I installed this game

Unfortunately it never kept my progress, it really was a shame

So I had to start from scratch, but I did it anyway

This brings me back to where I am today

Over seven years invested and every level is done

Now this tablet is failing also and I had to buy another one!

Luckily I learned something and I can give you some advice

Naturally I installed this game on my new device

Because I signed up with my “Google” account there was no memory loss

I just got new puzzles for February and continue to play “CodyCross”