With Summer's suitcase fully packed,
Then weighed and placed on board.
A far-bound flight wind autumn backed,
Has to beyond the equator soared.

Return flight not until late spring,
Warm breeze to ride upon.
When back again its case will bring,
From where long-winter gone.

Much which makes a summer, lost,
Its flora and it's fauna.
Their escape from gloom and early frost,
Leaves us bereft and each a mourner.

Whilst others away from chilly shores,
Remainers do their best.
With their presence, faltering hope restored,
Until returns hot sun as guest.

So what of those which choose to stay,
To brave inclement weather?
Which struggle to keep warm day-by-day,
At night snuggle warm together.

Of certain birds, I’m most aware,
So conspicuous is their song.
As sibilant stoicism each declare,
To haste the season quick along.

Before deep-sleeping day has woken,
Bold Robin has left its bed.
With thoughts on life already spoken,
Breast puffed out sunrise red.

Haunting harp of pre-dawn hush,
Florid whistle, its wistful swell.
Gentle alarm to returning rush,
Its counter-bedtime tale to tell.

Near and far, conversant calls,
Make mild the coldest dawn.
This dialogue to early rise enthralls,
As to a new day each being born.

And the Blackbird, later out of bed,
With its fluent fluty fayre.
Reminds it has also not full fled,
Informs its audience it's still there.

As if both stay behind for this,
Shared songful solitude.
A time of brief-bestowed bird bliss,
With winter’s soulfulness imbued.

And together each recites its sonnet.
With a sense of soon-here spring.
The demise of winter, both upon it,
With haste its end to artful bring.

Soon, as feathered friends join in,
To souring soundscape both accede.
Quieter pronouncements now begin,
To yet meet daily birdsong need.

Other creatures on this cold staycation,
Reveal their presence best they can
Maintain a sense of a warmer nation,
Work together with this their plan.

And to close the day the Robin waits,
To perform its evening checks.
In so doing it's presence restates,
As at the last of daylight pecks.

The Blackbird scissoring its way to roost,
As farewell until tomorrow.
Gives the sentinel Ruddock’s song a boost,
And its listenership to borrow.

Then as the flight from the south returns,
And summer’s programme is resumed.
These winter residents a rest each earns,
And for a while are safe subsumed.

Summer's suitcase is then put away,
Until arrives the moment when.
Alas, all yield to the shortening day,
And it's needed once again.