Days are ever shorter

And gradually cooler;

As a later sun rise

Filters the morning sky.

Clusters of dangling leaves

Still adorned in shades of green

While clinging to their branching vines

Against the tide of passing time.

But then pause, look, and behold:

Vibrant splashes of yellow, orange, and gold.

And a leaf here and there

Silently lets go floating in the air.

The vaulting sky still illuminates radiant sunshine

As if determined to thwart the swiftly encroaching night.

Squirrels and other creatures too scurry to and fro

Gathering acorns and food before that first winter snow.

Days become ever cooler still

Until there is a blowing wintry chill

And all too soon all the once vivid leaves

Loosen their grasp in a blustery breeze

Fluttering downward, carpeting the ground;

Naturally accepting their time had come.

So quietly Autumn exits allowing Winter

To have its season amid this transitioning weather.

But even so with each new passing day,

I will choose to cherish this time that the Lord has made.