Season Change

The leaves of Alder now are taking on Fragility of finely woven lace As Nature bids the sun: ‘Not yet be gone! ‘But stay awhile!’ though he moves on apace The trees perceive the signs as they foretell With fading of the light, increasing chill The portents of the changes they know well And answer by transforming with a will Should we not take example from the trees When change shall come to pass beyond our sway Adapt, protect and thus the travail ease With life’s resource what could we not allay! Untutored prophets tell impending dooms That pass bare-seen; undaunted life resumes