Such vanity,
the wind remarks
to the old oak and young willow,
in a season when all is loss
and fields are fallow.
Leaves have flown
on the wings of migratory birds
and furred creatures have burrowed
deep into the cold earth,
gravely sleeping under cover of frost
and snow.
The year dies,
resting on its hind legs
upright until the end.
The quiet resignation
of the turning earth,
its rotation of season
to season.
Everything is vanity,
reminds the wind.
All life stills in the end,
cold as stone in the deepest winter,
certain as old oaks stand sturdy
and young willows weep and bend.
thecourseofourseasons 
To nature we can turn and, if we listen, learn so much. Really are remarkably beautiful poem.
Truly poignant write – I have the slow, smooth rounding effect that your words have on me. Beautifully done. Sorry it took longer to read your piece.
A lovely poem. Thank you.
Your creativity always amazes me! I love the winding up of the year that you convey here.
Nancy
is it strange to say I find some comfort in these lines? something about the inevitability I think gives us permission to let go a little
This is beautiful Kathleen, the perspective on nature and the season is so very well expressed.
And then there is Spring.. and rebirth and the cycle of life goes on.. from death to birth to life to what is now to be…:)
Nostalgic Winter feelings your words do bring.. but Oh Goodness it still feels like Summer in North Florida.. so it’s still nice to experience these words..as Winter Substitute instead…:)
Ah, the year dies. So much is a loss…but thankfully there will be rebirth right around the corner, as the rotation of the earth continues.
Absolutely beautiful. The cadence and word selections evoke autumn and early winter. Glad I happened up the link on dVerse. :))
This is probably my favorite of yours.. the strong message in the extended metaphor of the nature and the cycle of life.. certainly when the winter comes..
Beautiful poem
I especially loved the visual painted with :
Leaves have flown
on the wings of the migratory birds
is a lovely idea. I can see multiple v formations trailing leaves like the tail of a kite.
I love this, so beautiful…….the year resting on its hind legs, and the willows, weeping and bending. Love the wind talking to the trees!
very nice, smooth flow…
I love the ending…there is wisdom on the words of the wind – all is vanity and all life stills in the end ~ Beautiful work Kathleen ~
Wow, sobering, sad, truthful, painful, the winter of our lives that some of us are on the cusp of; like OK, let’s get a grip on the Now, on Joy, on new learning, on old projects–& even though it makes the angels laugh, make plans. If I wake tomorrow, & greet the dawn, I will work on———–. Like your lines /all life stills in the end/cold as stone in the deepest winter/.
gorgeous gorgeous (yes twice was necessary!)
that next to last stanza…on the year dying, upright on its legs…resigned….and the last stanza…really evocative Kathleen….