Her Name Is Winter

She rides into town with a storm as her steed With clicking ice spurs, and rattling reins With somber delivery and the bleak look of gloom Bursting with pride as the old year must end She shoves her way into the house out of spite A dooms-day gray cloud, who brings her own blight Leaving a trail of footprints and mud Building a nest out of leftover crumbs Flapping her wings and spinning the clock Strutting her youth at the stroke of midnight She stalks on wet feet, with some snow on her boots She shouts out the news that your taxes are due No care in the world that she makes us feel blue! Her windows are dark, and her doorway is bare She holds a firm grip, till the end of her stay Yet, slowly and surely, against good advice Intrudes like a flood, as she watches creeks rise At last comes the sun, to shoo her away To thaws her cold grip, and her frown of surprise With remorse, she announces... it's time for goodbye! ______________________________________________________________