Overworked
summer slips away
as the first nip
of cold arrives
and preparations
for winter
take over our lives
and all we
really want
is to savor
what’s left of the sun
before the bite
of winter’s cold
tells us autumn’s done
Turmoil
troubled skies
drag themselves
over the horizon
to scrape roughshod
over mountain peaks
concealing them
from view
as the clouds
dip low
to place wet kisses
upon hilltops
and thread
among the trees
Stalwart
in this place
the green persists
through the fall
and into the cold
of winter nights
and biting
frost filled days
as tender bits
fade away
’til spring
and hardier ones
stay
Curious
gray skies and
intermittent raindrops
greet a cooling day
as booted feet
tread over
pine needle carpets
and worn
saturated wood
as each step
sates a small trickle
of curiosity
that leads on
into forever
Determination
push a little harder
take a few more steps
let the pain inspire
a spark of willpower
and expense
as a grimace
and growl
rises from within
seek a few more steps
to get you to the end
Lost
shelter me
from raindrops
that could drown me
like teardrops
trailing down cheeks
until the life I knew
is washed away
and soaks
into the soil
to nurture
something new
to life
