In the clear crisp azure light
Of a windswept morning,
Adorning the air with an Autumn
As sharp as a clean conscience,
Winter was introduced.

We welcomed her as always,
Opened our arms and said:
“Glad you could come,
Where have you been so long?
We have been waiting. “

And she wisely answered:
“I have been to the ends
Of the earth and back,
And I have left fires burning
In my wake to warn you

Of my coming, and I see
You have gathered the wood
And closed up the windows.
Listen…the wolf is close
And the icy winds are nigh.”

“I have come to stay
For a little while only,
For I am the lullaby
To the slumbering earth
As it sleeps in oblivion.

As I leave within due time,
With twinkling eye of mine
And fingertips of frost,
Will touch the snowy drifts
And turn it back to dew.

I will brush my icy breath,
Of  mist and bleak-lit sun,
Across the sleepy moor
In strokes of gold ‘n green
And Summer’s dazzling hue “

And Winter will depart within
A fortnight into Spring.