Just as the year is ending (As winter snows the leaves) The autumn glow pretending ~ The winter chill deceives. As squirrels start defending Their caches underground, December's shiver pending, And swallows southward bound. The cool of day is blending (As it frosts the forest floor) Into the sunset tending To be sooner than before. The boughs of treetops bending As gales race through their form Spiraling and wending Propelled by winter's storm. And so, the nightfall sending (As shadows shade the sky) The cool of night and rending The fair of day awry. With winter's shroud descending To cause the season's drear, Just as the year is ending ~ The closing of the year.