preparing for winter

in sweltering late august when the damp breeze
adds to your sweat december seems a kind of paradise
the weather report today says staying hot
with scattered thunderstorms that may
cause power-lines to come down or fry your delicate
machinery so don't be alarmed at sudden darks

but the delicacy of the flowers the dance of the branches
the infinite greens that play on each other even under cloud
both warm and cool the heart assert the continuity
of life while the bare branches and dark greens of winter
depress the mood and congeal the soul

so take the year as it comes accept the warmth the heat
and keep it in your heart as you endure the cold