I arose this morning and stole a peek
at the changing of nature;
saw a giant evergreen staring at me in the center
of the vision of my eye.
To her right, left and back, stood her naked companions
in all their rapture;
as she, clothed in all her stately greenery, bade the wrath of winter,
a hardy good-by.
Her naked friends with their many frayed toothpick-like arms,
showered in the misty dew.
And as the celestial curtains parted and the waiting sunshine slowly
slipped through,
I sighed, prayed and girdled my soul with all the spirit within me;
then I lent my ears to the miserable news echoing from the TV.