Seasons come and seasons go -
Autumn leaves must fall.
The splendor of the earth gives way
To Winter's chilling call.
Birds flock to now-empty fields
And gather in bare trees
To leave the northern shores behind
Before the coming freeze.
The earth grows still, the earth grows cold,
Unyielding, wild winds roam.
Through the lingering twilight haze
Lights shine from every home.
Wood smoke from the chimneys drift
Across the brown terrain,
And suddenly, without a sound,
Snowflakes fall again.
Regina Wiencek