by Pat Severin

The warmth of summer, it kept fall at bay
And then when it came, it seemed like a day.
No gradual cooling, no leaves subtle tones.
I wasn’t afforded the time for my moans
That seasons require, no gradual close,   
There just wasn’t time, 
that’s it, I suppose.
I wasn’t provided my usual ease
So I could adjust with a slow cooling breeze
That signals that autumn could truly be here.
It came on so fast, abruptly this year.
When summer was gone, the chill had arrived.
I had no impression that autumn had strived
To gently prepare me for autumn’s cold snap.
No gentle prompting, “It’s time that you wrap
Yourself in a blanket ‘cause tomorrow will be
The kind of a day that’s just a bit cold.”
But I'm really freezing, I feel a bit old!
Despite all my grousing, I heard His words true:
"My Child, hear my voice, I’m speaking to you,

There’s only one thing you must do today,
Observe from your window my vibrant display!”

Pat Severin is a retired Christian school teacher who serves her Lord in many ways. These have included school, church and teen ministries and her current personal ministry of creating cards that include her original poems of encouragement. These she sends out weekly to those going through difficult life struggles. 

In addition to her Christian poetry contributions to the Agape Review, she has been published in the Clay Jar Review, Thewayback2ourselves, and Pure in Heart Stories, which features Christian poetry and stories for children. She has been published in many of the Southern Arizona Press Anthologies, in the book called I Chose You: Imperfectly Perfect Rescue Dogs and their Humans and will be featured in the upcoming book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: Lessons I Learned from My Dog. Pat is a member of SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book writers and Illustrators.