The sun is low, it's darkening early
and the temperature is all falling degrees
soon cool November turns December
and the pons and lakes will freeze

A slender birch rises in from the lawn
it's branches sway in the breeze
the gusting air and cold autumn wind
another leaf falls free

Floating softly downward
Cartwheeling and spinning around
it joins its brothers in the grass
not making any sound

Each leaf a sight in itself
colored in falls bright hues
each fall for eons eternal
it happens, it is not new

This art show of mother nature
this display of earthly design
Carried out once a year, during holiday cheer
since the beginning of time

But then the leaves are raked
and the trees are all left bare
all is grey and colorless
naught but death seems there

The cold of winters wind blows harsh
and the cutting frost does bite
and the fury of the blizzard king
is always quite a sight

And just then, when all is lost
just one thing we must do
to have our joy returned to us
and our hope renewed

Just think of spring, glorious spring
in all it's living wonder
with birth and brides and butterflies
and winter taken under

So in the bleak and gloomy times
remember eternal spring
for winters cold is now at hand
but soon warmth again will sing

AcB 11.12.97