THE SIGNS OF THE SEASONS
What does it mean chirp,
And away to the south-land the wild-geese steer?
When apples are falling and nuts are brown?
These are the signs that autumn is here.
What does it mean when the days are short?
When the leaves are gone and the brooks are dumb?
When the fields are white with the drifting snows?
These are the signs that winter has come.
The old stars set, and the new ones rise,
And skies that were stormy grow bright and clear;
And so the beautiful, wonderful signs
Go round and round with the changing year.