the cold wind blows from the north

its icy tentacles seek out your exposed flesh

your face numbed so hard you can’t smile

you stopped smiling when winter arrived

brown withered lifeless foliage surrounds you 

where once colorful flowers bathed your eyes

naked trees sway in the howling wind

withered leaves cling to their branches 

their lives are over and soon they will fall to be absorbed by the soil

today’s raging brown river was once a gentle summer stream

you watch the angry boiling muddy water rushing down to the bay

no boats dare wrestle with those white capped waves 

the watermen all stay at home by roaring fires telling fisherman’s tales 

summer is now a distant memory

we will all suffer many cold dark days before she creeps back

seasons make us appreciate the weather we don’t have on that day

do you really like winter

flames in the fireplace may give you heat

but you can’t get a tan from laying by a fire

sitting by a pool in summer is so delightful 

you dare not sit by a pool cover dusted with snow

please come back soon summer

will you promise never to complain about summer’s long hot lazy days