The days are growing shorter little by little
as the long arm of winter reaches out
and there is a chill in the air first thing in the morning and at night
and the leaves are falling to the ground in an absolute blizzard
not with the tingling of wet snow
but the gentle touch of Mother Nature’s dieing materials
the sun still shines but is not as warm as it was
and the shadows are longer with the sun lower on the horizon
now when I hike, I will need a jacket to ward of the chill in the air
soon, there will be frosts on the plants and the flowers that remain
as Mother Nature’s icy winter fingers
put them to sleep to lay dormant for the winter
rebuilding and renewing getting ready for a new life
and when the time is right
to burst out into the light of day
in her wisdom this renewable cycle cannot be rushed and takes time
time which Nature has in abundance
and which we mere mortals have in limited supply
as she smiles secretly to herself
knowing that she will always have the last word.

Written 11/20/2017