The Place That Is No More

My cat runs outside
And is startled to find that
The heat has left us

Cold chill grips the air
The crabapples have died and fallen
I close my windows

Soon will come the frost
And with it, the first snowfall
Summer never stays long

The rain strikes like knives
Out of clear, unblemished skies
Into the soft land

It comes through windows
And catches me by surprise
In the humid spring

Just as I catch up
And close the windows from the rain
It has vanished like smoke

This spring started warm
And now threatens to turn wet
I dread the summer

The crabapple trees
Have gone into full flower
And the petals fall

Yet the air turns cold
And I feel the harshest winds
Come from the north lands

I look to the sky
And I can see flocks of geese
Fly back to the south

My body suffers
Only the cold winter air
Can calm its deep pain

I take no treatment
Save to rest and stay in warmth
Away from the new snow

The coming of my cold
Marks yet another step into
This frozen season

The last touch of heat
Caresses the tomatoes
They are almost red

Already the wind
Carries the promise of cold
With the smell of grain

Soon there will be snow
But first, maybe, one last rain
Shall grace apple trees

I see the cornfield
Of my neighbor is near ripe
Perhaps he'll give some?