Paul Gerard Reed

Seasons

\"Say, what impels, amidst surrounding snow,

Congealed, the crocus’ flamy bud to grow?

Say, what retards, amidst the summer’s blaze,

Th’ autumnal bulb till pale, declining days ?

The God Of Seasons; whose pervading power

Controls the sun, or sheds the fleecy shower:

He bids each flower His quickening word obey;

Or to each lingering bloom enjoins delay.\"

- Gilbert White, letter from Selborne, July 3rd 1778.

The seasons change

And, as if commanded,

My thoughts rearrange

With yesterday\'s stranded;

The urge to live is strong

When Winter, dethroned,

Departs and \'ere long

Spring is once more loan\'d;

Daylight stretches out it\'s arms

To the nesting thrush

Over hilly farms,

In prickly bush;

Cooled, the dewy green

Under morning\'s misty sigh

But, rushing past, unseen,

Another season goes by;

Summer swelters and sweats

Raising it\'s stakes

\'Till Autumn settles it\'s bets

Shading slopes, shadowing lakes;

Before Winter returns

Our dark and lonely friend

The door shuts, the fire burns

Another year to end.