When Winter comes

The cold wind whistles down the parkway, pushing leaves that dry and drift.
Clouds that hang up in the yonder, look like snow, though just a mist
That cools our face and nips the fingers, the rest is covered to the nose
With heavy layers of warm clothes.

I walk a little slower, thinking of the fleeting days, and Winter coming fast.
They passed so quickly, all those years of joy and wonder, that I guess I thought would always last...
The bloom upon my apple cheeks has faded like my favorite shirt.
The Mrs. that I once was, deceased- with my young love's body put down in the dirt.

The miles have been all but endless! My, it seems so far I have spanned.
But the memory of the little ones, and pets, and gardens and all the Christmases we planned
They were not long ago. Were they? It was summer, and we were having busy days... and rules!
Yet there is not a trace of the old homeplace, not a trumpet, flute or carpool.

They have children, who are planning children, pu-leze, I need to rest!
I cannot understand all those who complain of 'empty nest'.
Family gathers at one central, and the din makes you long for ear flaps!
But the elders could not care less, noise does not interrupt their naps.

Yeah, the shadows are lengthening now, the gray hair mounds upon my brow.
White, like snow, among the forest twigs- scatters in the mixture now.
It came faster than I perceived, slipping past the autumn's gold.
Winters moving with precision, right on time, it brings the cold.

And I welcome swift receding, let me walk on to my resting chair.
I breathe my prayers and close my eyes, and live again my springtime, there.
I laugh through thoughts of summer days, of corn and tomatoes, sweat and tears.
Of all the times we suffered losses, but most of the time when we echoed cheers!

I've had regrets within these seasons, lived to see some times amiss.
Now the chapters have been written, God has granted me forgiveness.
While I walk into a last day-- be it long, or short, or any bit of time
There will be no sorrowful endings, just no more breathless climbs.