The Seasons

Feather to feather on a branch, this early winter morning,
Are they planning outings for the day or of grave dangers warning?

A predator comes swooping by, a red-tailed hawk in plunder.
As of one mind they fly away, not one is pulled asunder.

These are the winter birds that stay, to face the stormy weather.
They mind the rules of Nature and no one asks why or whether.

The ice and snow, the winds that blow, they do not stop to measure.
For what could be one bird's nothing, could be another's treasure.

The springtime finds them once again, assembled in large groupings.
They know a single bird can be endangered by hawk's swoopings.

The over-powering scents of spring, assault them from the orchard.
The butterflies and bumblebees are courting in the courtyard.

The apple tree is leafing out and showing her pink buddings.
The robin is digging in the mud and making her worm puddings.

My own body is a tingle at the sounds and smells and scents.
A bunny with his ears attuned, keeps watching through the fence.

When summer comes, life has progressed.  Among the leaves, nests hidden.
Many a chastened crow has learned that to rob one is forbidden.

Mama and Papa Swallow have filled the needs of their first hatch.
They're teaching them to fly now, to make room for another batch.

The summer flowers are in full bloom, each vying with another
To tell the nectar searching bees, they're better than the other.

The bright red of tall lilies and my roses of red hues
Urge me to plant my gardens with some yellows, greens and blues.

At last in fall, time to relax and talk about the summer.
That Robin's eggs refused to hatch, they agree was a real bummer.

They're gathered now, in larger groups, to leave for other places.
The birds that stay, send them away with wonder on their faces.

A riotous bloom  of dahlias grow where other flowers have faded.
The last blooms of summer roses are looking quite outdated.

The snow of winter soon will come to cover up my garden,
But hardy plants will live through snow, fall gave them chance to harden.

3/15/14
Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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A  Avatar
April 7, 2014 at 6:09 PM
JOYCE, , Congratulations, a wonderful win. Thank you:). ~SKAT~
Harper Avatar
April 7, 2014 at 2:04 PM
Joyce, you share the many wonderful visitors that greet you on the branches in this wonderful poem. Congratulations on your win.
A. Sharma Avatar
April 7, 2014 at 7:50 AM
What a great picture u hv created Joyce ! Congrats on ur win !!
Guzzi Avatar
April 6, 2014 at 7:33 PM
So delightful to take a look at the seasons from a bird's eye view [yours is my personal fav!] Congrad's on your win. Light & Love
Gorelick Avatar
April 6, 2014 at 6:46 PM
Enjoyed ! congrats on your couplet winner. BG
Deschler Avatar
April 3, 2014 at 6:26 PM
A very nice description of the changing of the seasons and how it effects wildlife. Great work, Joyce. Congratulations on your win, as well!... Thank you for the kind congrats on my poem. :)
A   Avatar
April 2, 2014 at 5:49 PM
JOYCE, Congratulations on your winning poem.... xox~ Linda
Mehta Avatar
April 2, 2014 at 2:02 AM
An apt form you have chosen for the theme of your poem. Congrats on the fine win,joyce
A  Avatar
April 2, 2014 at 12:12 AM
JOYCE:) Congratulations, ON YOUR WIN ~SKAT~
Dietrich Avatar
March 23, 2014 at 10:37 AM
YOu have shown an array of winter to spring images in this sweet poem, Joyce. yOU have to admire those stalwart winter birds!
Horne Avatar
March 17, 2014 at 11:45 AM
love this beautiful poem, Joyce. Hope you are having a great day, my friend xx
Zerbst Avatar
March 16, 2014 at 8:30 AM
Very, very pleasing, Joyce. I am glad I happened to read this one. It is certainly filled with whatever delights you in each season. Conveyed in a nice story-teller, metrical style too. Best wishes.
Parker Avatar
March 15, 2014 at 9:27 PM
A wonderful poem, good luck in the contest
Pettit Avatar
March 15, 2014 at 3:59 PM
Your descriptive cup runneth over in this write that looks like a strong competitor for Gail's contest. I think you just made Gail's job to pick a winner more difficult.
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