The air is getting colder now, and

The nights are drawing in, and

The older folks are sitting, and

Are sipping at the gin.

The sun's taken its warmth away, and

With it,

Summer's cheer, and

The children's cheeks are all aglow,

'Cos winter time is here.

The chirpy little sparrows that nest

Up in the trees,

Have almost disappeared now,

As they feel that stiffer breeze.

It's time for the robin to show off

Its red breast and

To brave the winter blizzards,

In its snow-filled little nest.

The leaves have flown the trees now, and

The branches are stripped bare.

Our lawns are now retarded, and

The flowers become rare.

Most outside animals hibernate, and

People stay indoors, and

Motorists are stranded upon the

Cold white moors.

The ice has set with vengeance,

But there's a danger and a fear,

That some of us won't make it,

Through the coldest part of the year.

But when the air feels warmer, and

There are strollers on the prom,

Be sure that Spring is coming,

For Winter's been and gone. Stephen Anderton

Springfield Road, Kearsley

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.