I am the Autumn
The leaves, some red, some gold
Others fallen and brown
Those reminiscent of times gone
Lessons learned
And fruit grown from a life well-lived
Now for others to glean, to be nourished
The wind blows and scatters what I’ve grown,
No longer to my benefit, but to nameless others
I do not fear the winter, although the cold will catch me bare
I see my Autumn leads into another’s Spring
I am Winter, often feared, occasionally not
By those rare few who have walked the narrow path
The cold air invites others to slow, to pause, to stop in the usual turmoil
They appreciate the warmth like never before, curled in blankets
The grey-blue sky is seen through my stripped branches
I don’t hide behind the colors, the distraction, the beauty
I am bare and seen, crisp
My bleakness is merely testament to a new thing
Soon to arrive
I am Spring, new and fresh and full of naïveté
My leaves are brilliant green, my buds bright and full
The cool winds dwindle more each day
And each moment I long more for the warmth
Of the next
With vigor and passion I look forward
No need to look back, I press on
Nourishing rains, a warm sun all propel me
Towards destiny
I am Summer, zealous with bone-deep warmth
Leaves still green, though less lush
And buds fainting, yet I move, move
Even in the stillness of overwhelming heat
And stale atmosphere,
I soak in the sun,
No in-betweens here…
I am sapped of strength in the hot rays
But I cannot be stopped in my season.
