Sun is shining bitter bright, like a thousand cannons strong
Then storm clouds swiftly barrel in anointing Winter, long.
Ruffled sparrows flock to  trees in chirruping displease
Feathers fluffed to driving rain in squalls from heaving seas.
Cold the wet and biting wind which flees to fleeting sun
Glaring momentarily, on across the glades, then done,
As pelting rain in massive bouts sweeps in, to once again,
Drive Autumn leaves from thrashing trees with torrents flooding drain.
Grey clouds sweep the  cloistered hills in pelting bouts, which clear,
To instants of stark freezing sky as arctic blue, as near,
Snuffed out by yet another squall, obliterating light,
To seem as if enshrouding cloak engulfed the day to night.
Spectating from the balcony we watch in sheltered ease
The monstrousness of Wintry blast assaulting thrashing trees
Warm wood fire and whiskey our companions of the day
In magnificence of spectacle of Winter's bleak foray.

M.
8 June 2020
Taranaki, N.Z.