Held in Abeyance

 

The death throes of autumn have finally receeded

as the muffled drums of winter steadily begin their desultory beat

Nature retreats amidst cold winds, frost, sleet and ice

to clouds laden with snow waiting to the unleash their confetti

 

We shrink and cower by open fire sides with toasting forks

 to sleep wrapped in overcoats and gloves under weighty blankets

We sip mulled wine and create exotic stews to tease our appetites

as the day light hours wither away into foreboding darkness

 

Summer is a distant melody of forgotten thoughts under shady trees

autumn a fading spectacle of decay and falling leaves has been and gone

Hopes turn to Christmas to give cheer and merriment, the tinsle of hope

then sleep some more until the birds sing again to greet a new dawn