SEASONS

In pristine white she lullabies

    the countryside to sleep

While days so short and nights so long

    course shadows as they creep.

Then frigid winds caress the snow

    that blankets gentile boughs

Which seem defenseless in their plight

    yet obey nature's vows.

At last shadows succumb to sun

    and snow melts on the morn

And birds return from traveling

    to trees of green and charm.

All the creatures that live upon

    the earth resound with joy

And propagate by natures will

    in the way each employs.

The rays of summer sun that warms

    and lazy flowing streams

Could last forever and a day,

    at least the way it seems.

The circles of the lofty hawks

    work patterns in the sky

And somewhere in past memories

    each creature must know why.

Soon the evenings clear and cool,

    awaken old instincts

That trees and animals alike

    soon feel as stirring links.

The autumn leaves of orange and brown

    let go their mother's grip

And birds group up in solemn mass

    to ready for their trip.

Again the chill of winter frost

    knocks at autumn's door

And nature follows such commands

    as do the trees of yore.

Whispers now. the northwest wind,

    a promise to us all;

As winter's icy cast must come

    so spring shall come to call.

~Robert E. Browne~