As the birds fly south the question remains
Why do they trouble to return
When they could easily remain all year
Never needing to hazard the long trip back
We who grew up in the wintry north
Naturally call this place home
Being humans able to survive in the cold
Capable of thriving under adverse conditions
I myself have fond memories ice skating
Gliding across the ice on a frozen pond
Dazzled by the glittering sun on snowflakes
Blanketing the landscape in stillness
But also enduring long hours being bone cold
Working outside for eighteen years
Something thankfully left behind in the past
Now that age leaves me easily chilled
As we prepare to travel south ourselves
Watching the winter birds arrive to eat our seeds
We leave knowing we are coming back
To the most beautiful scenery known to us
The forests and fields and flowers
The mountains and streams and lakes
Ours to enjoy in the warm weather months
When the sweet song of new life fills the air
