New Shoots

Spring tricked me into thinking
it was here all year
I barely had time to make plans
when off it ran to distant lands

Summer left a band on my wrist
etched a tan on my arm
gave the energy of youth
and confidence to act
without fear of contradiction
or weighing up the facts

Autumn stole those plans
coloured my whiskers grey
receded my hairline back
time decided not to stay or send
now i'm further from beginning
and closer to the end

Leaving only Winter
that cold thief of desire
to breathe mist into the air
stoking my snowy ceasefire
turning the earth
pitchfork and frost
to let new shoots push through
another year is lost