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 The last blooms of summer roses are looking quite outdated.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