Leaves pale and lose their cling;
No longer does the bluebird sing;
Summer's had her annual fling;
She's had her annual fling.
Fat squirrels still chatter in my trees,
Raid my feeders in a cooling breeze
As bluejays rob and mock and tease
Summer's lost her lease.
Morning's chilled the dew to look like frost;
Raspberries' final crops may soon be lost;
The river birch's leaves dry crisp as toast;
Other leaves will join the host.
It's time to winterize the house again,
Shut off garden lines, and let them drain,
Prepare farewell to summer's rain,
Farewell to summer's rain.
Some relief I find in winter time,
A rest from summer so sublime,
A pause, as earth and I recline,
And wait for summer time.