Ga Ga Google?

Curiosity being what it is, after the Followers Widget Fiasco, I did a little clicking; this soon showed me that the icon of two little boxes on the new style arrangement, simply lets you see another selection of your followers. OK, guess we could live with that. Then I tried the 'Google Friend Connect' button, and was treated to a voice explaining exactly what this was all about.

Apparently, people can sign on with their Google Account, Yahoo, AOL, Open ID etc, should they wish to leave a comment on your blog. Doesn't seem to be too disastrous - but then, the voice launches into a host of other possibilities that made me want to run for cover. I shall need to listen again and digest the information before going any further. How much attention do I want to attract to my little corner of Blogland? Aye, there's the rub, as one far greater than I once said.

I leave the jury still out on the Google Friend Connect...Friend or Fiend springs to mind.

Did I hear myself use the word 'springs'? That produced a leap in another direction, due to a somewhat different interpretation of the word, of course. Spring is struggling to get away from the grasp of old Winter, at least here in the English corner of Blogland, and a quick rummage brought to light a relevant poem, written in the days when I had a garden worthy of the name, as well as large windows that let me admire the changing seasons in all their glory. Without more ado, here it is, complete with original title suggested by the day on which I wrote it, all those years ago.

Winter Solstice

In the garden
morning frost patches,
still undisturbed,
add to the cold light
of fast disappearing day.
Dried seed heads brown remains
stand stiffly on thin twigs
already sprouting
yellow-green leaf clusters
eager for Spring, epitomising
beauty of birth and death
on a single stem.