First Frost
May their seeds be safely scattered
As the annuals hang their heads.
May the snakes all safely find their paths
Back to their winter beds.
May next year’s buds be safely wrapped
In shrouds of green and brown,
And watch from higher branches
As this year’s leaves drift down.
With their fledglings safe about them
May birds find a southern home.
May bears be fattened, safe in dens
As they once more cease to roam.
May blue jays find they’ve safely stored
Enough ripe seeds away
To last them through the season
Til another bright spring day.
In the meadow on the mountain
Where the deer are bedded down
May the grass be always lush and deep
As they rest on mossy ground.
May the little frogs find safety
In deep mud and warm,
In the pond amid the forest
May they winter without harm.
May lichens soften in the mist
And softening, turn to green.
In dampened autumn weather
Their best days will be seen.
The hummingbirds have scattered
Before the cold front’s blast.
In Argentina’s flow’ry fields
May they find safe food at last.
The aspen is a spendthrift
Dropping leaves of trembling gold.
May its forests prosper likewise
As this year grows old.
May the bluestem on the hillside
Shining ever in the sun,
Glowing red, embrace the frost
Minding not that summer’s done.
May the skunk that’s in the henhouse
Stealing our eggs
Scuttle safely ‘neath the coop
On short, fat, little legs.
May the stars again gleam brightly
Once clouds have cleared away.
Orion’s winter’s in the sky
And Scorpio’s gone to stay.
Autumn is behind us
Winter’s icy breath we feel.
May all beings greet the coming year
As again we turn the wheel.
May all here on the homestead
Prepare to do our parts
To welcome winter’s shelt’ring snow,
Holding summer in our hearts.