Changing With the Seasons

Autumn 

Leaves flutter 

Sunbeams filter through

The treetops

Setting the foliage on fire

A glow spreads 

Across the forest

Illuminating your shimmering hair

Shining like jewels

You listen to

Swaying branches

Rustling leaves

A light breeze

The scampering feet of a squirrel

The vermilion

And sunsets

And marigolds and tangerines

Gradually turn rusty and bronze

And then it’s . . .

Winter

Snowflakes drift 

To rest on your cold skin

Rosy cheeks and frosty breath

Clouds obscure the sky

And the world is full of diamonds

A single ruby flower 

Pushing through the frozen earth

To remind you that soon it will be . . .

Spring

Flowers worm their way

Up to the sunlight

Slender and delicate

And yet so, so strong

Slowly, warmth returns

Bringing bees and their pollen

Erupting in an explosion of rainbows

And flowers

And allergies

That cover your face in an annoying rash

And sneezing and watering eyes

But the world goes on

Sunflowers reach to the sky

Roses unfurl 

Into a beautiful splendor of dew-covered petals

You bask 

In the warmth of the sun

But all too soon it’s . . . 

Summer 

Sun beats down

Pale skin darkens

Like clockwork 

No matter how much sunscreen you slather yourself with

It’s time

For endless days at the beach

Highlights in your hair

Shorts and sunglasses

Swimming and surfing

Sweaty and grinning

Surrounded by friends

For a seemingly endless vacation

Until . . .

The cycle starts again

And it seems like everyone around you is changing

And they are

But you’re changing with them

You change with the seasons

You are beautiful.