Goodbye, Summer

Today has been one of those days..... damp, gloomy, chilly, dark. Reminding me once again that summer is fading away before my very eyes.
I like Autumn; Indian Summer; whatever you want to call it. The season is changing but the cold of winter is not yet set in.
I put the comforter on the bed; and put my sweaters in the drawers. I dug out all Kevin's flannel work shirts. I shut some windows. I found my slippers. I threw afghans on the sofa for evening snuggles. I'm making some chili tomorrow. I light candles at night. I'm planning my usual extensive, outrageous winter embroidery projects. Yeah. This Autumn thing is hitting home.

When my first niece Abi was born, and then into her toddler years, I used to write little funny poems, riddles, and silly "dittys" to amuse her. (She was hard to impress, I'll tell you. Still is, too.) I would also sit around with my little brother and two sisters and we'd write amusing little poem-stories, skits, and other parody type things for amusement.
Here's and example of what we would make up for kicks and giggles:

Mom: Whose jeans are these?!
Me: "Whose Jeans are these, I think I know. I could be mistaken though!"
Noelle: (From upstairs, after she overheard me) "..... But if the hips are all stretched out, you will know without a doubt!"
(Spoofing on Robert Frost's "Stopping by woods on a snowy evening" poem, of course.)
ANYWAY! What does this have to do with anything, you ask?
I was getting to that.......

I wrote this poem for Abi when she was about three years old. I always said one day I would get my drawing/painting groove on and illustrate it and try to get it published as a children's picture book. I had stuffed it away into my writing portfolio and today I remembered it and dragged it out again:

Goodbye, sunshine. Hello, Frost.

Goodbye, green leaves. Hello, yellow leaves.

Goodbye, iced tea. Hello, hot cocoa.

Goodbye, wide brimmed hats. Hello warm, fuzzy caps.

Goodbye strawberries, blackberries, peaches and tomatoes.

Hello, pumpkins, turkey, and mashed potatoes.

Goodbye breeze through open window.

Hello, quilt and fluffy down pillow.

Goodbye, pool. Hello, sled.

Goodbye green grass. Hello, dead.

Hello fall, you familiar old friend.

Goodbye Summer, 'till we see you again.