They come in low and hard
dragging the icy north wind
those heavy grey clouds floating over
the long cold winter to begin

Autumn is at an end
and the temperatures are falling fast
time now to hunker down
and prepare for the winter blast

Sitting by the fire one night
those crystal flakes start to fall
asleep or sheltered are the animals now
til warmer weather calls

Through the season the snow piles high
over the vast peaks and trees
river waters stand almost still
under the spell of the deep winter freeze

Avalanches consume steep mountain sides
ripping trees out by their roots
Streets and sidewalks diligently being cleared
by those in their warmest suits

Until that final snow falls
sometime in the spring
we make the best of every day
until the returning birds begin to sing

©2001

Brandon W. Crews