NOVEMBER
Normally by November the leaves have left the trees,
All gone afar by the buffeting of many a harsh breeze,
Lost because of night frost to slow the flowing sap,
Leaving between earth and blue sky a leafless gap.
But this year many leaves are hanging on bright green,
Just a few bare trees at the moment can be clearly seen,
The weeping willows have not yet turned to dulled gold,
But still hang in long garlands of green pleasing to behold.
The grass still needs cutting still summer green it shows,
Even a few late flowers still bloom and in beauty grow,
It surely shortens winter when fall hangs on warm and sweet,
It seems this years around lake Ontario winter late well meet.
Birds are much later in gathering for their long southern flight,
Yet many of the northen visitors to us are already in sight,
Yesterday after the heavy rain the birds bathed with glee
It is usually a vision in the warmth of summer this we see.
The sun seems to have retained some of its summer intensity,
That is why many of the birds do not really want to flee,
Yet a little way north snow came while we had the rain,
Please stay fair November and other places the snow can remain.
(Millicent) Ann Margetson 5 November 2004