Winter Comes

Popular and birch

falls rich leaving

knee deepened burnt orange

languishing on the ground.

First frost heavy.

In past puddles muddy brown

with blades of grass heavy

with white powder, frozen dew.

Less interesting the wind whips

through thoroughly bare branches

leafless, not lifeless, hibernating.

Swarming the trunks, pounded

small skirmishes, precursors

for coming winter games

flying ice balls and laughter

rush amongst the woods,

followed by ambushers leaping from

heaps of knee deep, decaying leaves.