Warning

By Solveig Paulson Russell

Maples gave the warning

That summertime was done,

Flaunting crimson leaf flags

’Mid cooler rays of sun.

The poplars changed to flame,

Outlined with toasty brown,

Then leaves of every hue

All came fluttering down.

Weeds along the fencerows

Grew brittle, crisp, and sere.

And bands of birds, southbound,

Proclaimed the winter near.

Then came the crispy frost,

And skies were filled with gray,

So no one was surprised

When snowflakes fell today.

Illustrated by Dick Brown