-- Seasons Held in Time’s Embrace --

John Herlihy

The seasons are held in time’s embrace,

Summer’s smile, spring’s innocent face.

Each one expressive of a different facet,

Autumn’s colors, winter’s lace delicate.

Spring forever young, winter forever old,

The soft petals of summer flowers unfold.

Autumn forests’ dying leaves sing a sad tale,

Crimson red, golden brown, our senses assail.

We hear the cracking of the crushed leaves,

Cold rains fall as the wind of autumn grieves.

The quiet hush heard in the descent of snow,

Skeletal naked trees as silhouettes in moonglow.

Each season marked by something falling,

Torrential spring rains, winter snow enthralling.

The misty dreaminess of summer’s descending dew,

Autumn leaves into the enchanted valley flew.

We bask in the freshness of the spring day,

Into summer’s warmth love’s desires stray.

The trees stripped naked in autumn’s chill,

The silence of falling renders winter nights still.

It’s all about brilliant sunlight and star glow,

All heavenly signposts the four seasons bestow.

Migrating birds, gentle winds, and waving leaves,

Singing savannah grass intimate melody weaves.

Light voices heard in the levity of wind chimes,

Whispers heard in the murmur of forest pines.

The chatter heard in the tinkling of goat bells,

Solemn lamentation in the echo of church bells.

A sense of distance brought feelings of bliss,

Reach into the soul like a whirlwind in an abyss.

Such happiness or melancholy to carry us away,

The seasons arrive, speak their peace, never stay.

Sweet confections of shadows and light under veils,

To stir or soothe fragile hearts with miraculous tales.

A vista of sublime fantasies in the touch of the seasons,

Set forth in their own time for a multitude of reasons.

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Copyright © John Herlihy

Tuesday 13 December 2022