Winter
Autumn presents his weathered face
Wind whistles from puffed up cheeks

Under the skirts of trees he peeks
And strips them bare of all that they wear

Leafless they slumber in cold embrace
and wear on every smiling face
a dream of spring

Withered leaves dance in the air
And gather as friends here and there

Twig and branch beckon in vain
To cloudy skies implore

The feathered have flown
The furry sleep in their hollows
All creatures remember what follows

Winter arrives with frozen breath
To bite your ears and tweak your nose

The sun has gone with no trace of guilt
To warm other faces in far away places

Weary earth snuggles under a snowy quilt
And quietly sighs in peaceful repose