‘Seasons’ by Shari Jo LeKane-Yentumi         

What chilly breeze creates a shudder
and crimson leaves begin to flutter
down, down like butterflies
’till barren branches reach the skies
and herald lonely autumn cries
amidst decaying clutter,

then winter wends its weary way
on through the festive holidays
around, round the endless nights
in search of precious southern light
to end the dreary frozen plight
each minute gone astray,

such time has come for spring rebirth
to reconcile with Mother Earth
now found, found beneath the snow
new greenery and things that grow
is setting lovers’ hearts aglow
enlivening with mirth,

still followed by the marching drum
of summer’s folly in the sun
abound, bound by gardens lush
with endless harvest in a rush
and starlit nights by full moon’s blush,
the seasons have their run.

Shari Jo LeKane-Yentumi lives in St. Louis, Missouri, where she writes poetry, prose and articles; specializes in literary criticism and non-profit matters. She has a B.A. in English, Spanish, and an M.A. in Spanish from Saint Louis University in Madrid and St. Louis. Since brain surgery, she volunteer teaches creative writing in a maximum security jail and works for civil rights attorneys. She completed a novel in verse, Poem to Follow, and is featured in several poetry anthologies, including the Missouri VSA 2013 Anthology, Turning the Clocks Forward Again; Poetica Victorian; Red Dashboard Disorder Anthology: Mental Illness and Its Effects; The Muse India/Createspace Anthology Of Present Day Best Poems; Bordertown Press Poetry of People on the Move; and Literature Today International Journal of Contemporary Literature. Shari’s poetry has appeared in several literary magazines in the U.S., Canada, England, India, Ireland and Spain.