Goodbye to Autumn Wings

Silver wings against the sky,

Hear that haunting clarion cry.

See the wild geese southward bound ---

There is autumn in that sound.

How their flight tugs heart and soul

As they struggle toward their goal

To new bayous, lakes, and fens;

To new marshes, brakes, and glens.

Always searching for the spring,

Onward flying, wing on wing.

Like a rosary of beads,

Bird by bird the V-line speeds.

As I count, I say a prayer

To the Maker for the care:

"Through the air lanes, day by day,

Speed the wild geese on their way,

Till they come at last to rest,

And, replenished, build their nest;

That one day with proud new broods

They will try new latitudes,

Find the old familiar lane

That will bring them north again."

Silver wings across the sky,

Wistfully, I say, "Goodbye."

~ Minnie Klemme