Swallows begin their long journey south
To escape the winter cold,
They fly across a landscape
Of autumns brown and gold.

Squirrels are busy gathering nuts
To hide in their winter store,
The shorter days and longer nights
Tell us that autumn is here once more.

Geese fly in formation
Across the autumn sky,
While a curlew in a distant field
Sounds out a lonely cry.

The holly tree is a mass of red berries
That will give all the birds a feast,
Before the first snow of winter
Comes blowing in from the east.

GORDON BUTCHERS

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-tale-of-autumn/