Late days

The last of summer,
                    reluctant to go

Tips into the first
                    days of autumn

The decision taken
                    was delayed

An extension to
                    summers lease

To allow the last
                    of the Swallows

To gather their
                    broods and go

Finally urged
                    on their way

As violent storms
                    remind them

of warmer climes.
                    Victims of

Summers borrowed time
                    leaves, unsure for weeks

Arrive at a decision
                    and start to burnish

Butterflies, fragile, seek
                    safety to winterwait

Toads lurk, predatory, in moist evenings
                    A gathering in, a storing up

As insects, animals, prepare.
                    Indecision caused by warm days

Will kill the unwary
                    winter has no favourites

© Alexander Hamilton October 2010