The season has brought with her
Blustery blows
To trail leaves and scatter
Wherever she goes
The sky with her cloak
Is soon clouded and grey
As drips thunder downward
We run while we may
With twisting and turning
She tears limbs from trees
As forestry’s mistress
Will do as she’s pleased
Humanity’s dwelling
Is breeched by a beech
With windows that splinter
As roofs start to pitch
And foam less sweet-smelling
Is blown toward the beach
For nothing we know
Is held out of her reach
While Winter enjoys herself
Cosy and warm
We huddle in blankets
And hide from the storm
Our shelters may topple
As Nature holds sway
The Earth, baked and brittle
Returned to damp clay
She turns to her Captain
Proud Weather in pride
The borders of Britain
Have started to slide
With rivers that spread themselves
Stretch their banks wide
The water soon rises
Full moon and fell tide
This world we call small
Soon unmanned and unknown
What land we had conquered
Returned to her throne
Katherine Shirley 