Alchemy of the natural world

Through my window
           I see it this way : the world
in its winter wardrobe
           the bright berries gone
the hanging fruit all picked
           green turned to rust and gold
a dampness in the atmosphere
           the lawn overgrown
across which squirrels and foxes
           move with greater stealth

I see it not as an end
           or as a failure
but more of a tactical retreat
           in preparation
for all the beauty entailed
           in the spring offensive

John Lyons