Battening down the hatches

The temperature is dropping
our hemisphere’s turning
further from the sun;
life’s processes are slowing
and soon they will be stopping
if precautions aren’t begun,
protective measures taken,
and non-essential tasks forsaken.

We keep our shelters snug and warm
throughout the winter’s cold and storm,
but all those animals that roam
(without a heated car, shop, home),    
the cooling, barren countryside,
become aware they must prepare –
collect much fuel-food to hide,
the autumn’s bounty gathered, stored,
reserves preserved, judicious hoard;
or feast to put on weight and fatten
a hidden vest and cache internal,    
or thicken overcoats external
– to fluff up, when the weather’s wild,
or flatten when the day is mild;
maybe a time of sleep to keep
alive, survive in torpor slow,
life’s basics kept just set at ‘go’                    
in refuge sheltered from the breeze;

and tucked in crevice-cracks in trees
or other places such as these
insects inert lie, butterflies
protected by bug anti-freeze.

Twigs are sealed, their leaves are shed
– too delicate; soft plants die back
from frosty days, the dark, and lack
of warmth and daylight – underground
are found their depots, filled and fed
from food drawn down – the soil a rug
that’s warm and keeps them safe and snug    
’til growth begin again in spring.

Catkins expand, snowdrops appear
– point up, and forward – time draws near
when beauty stark and sparkling snow,
and testing, resting days will pass,
transformed as fruitful things regrow –
dazzling flowers, lush fresh grass:
earth’s living riches’ springtime show.