Yesterday

Yesterday summer arrived
before spring had departed.
The sky rent with
dark ragged clouds
sprinkling beneficence
until sun's presence
cleared the heavens
oppressive humidity
clinging the atmosphere.

Displaced soon by winds
so fierce they hammered our windows
demanding entry
leaving deposits of soil
detritus of the season, within.
Rain spent the wind and
the deep gloom lifted.

Today, heat and humidity
replaced with chill as
summer summarily retreated
to reasonably await its season.
Today we walked the wooded ravine.
Collapsed creek bans,
and with them trees, now
bridging the banks
across sluggish water, frenzy spent.

Yesterday that force of nature
felled great forest giants
glowing with green life.
Prostrate now, diminished
irretrievably dethroned
pride of age and proportions
suddenly reduced to
humble forest mulch.

c. 2009 Rita Rosenfeld