ISABEL NEE

The evergreens buried in drifting snow,
Bow their branches, laden with perching birds.
This whole place glazed with silver ice, aglow
With mirrored light, silent but for the birds.
Then through the melting snow breaks brilliant green,
And creatures venture forth from winter dens.

Deer roam the fields, the wolf’s no longer lean,
Back are the bright hummingbirds, drabber wrens.
Flowers bloom in riots of brilliant color,
The young pups and chicks of spring have grown.
Then trees burst into fire’s brilliant color,
The hummingbirds, wrens, buntings have now flown.
And so fall shifts to winter, as summer
Did fall; as the seasons will forever.