The Fury of the Season

That ferociously icy wind blasted
through the woods and the trees
wept their cargo of foliage,
releasing them copiously to the 
fury of the season, spiralling them
through the transparency of the
atmosphere, making no secret of
fall.  A small, green-striped snake
snuggled into the leafy coverlet
as above a raven's black wings
spread wide below clouds bruising
the sky.  A grove of maples
defiantly allowed their yellow 
crowns to cling as though
separated from their host they
feared the wind's intent; yet
they too will fall victim to the
inevitable cleansing of the old
for their replacements.  Squalls
alternated from a rainy deluge to a
windfall of russet and gold leaves,
cushioning the forest floor,
preparing the woods for its
inexorable winter freeze.