The Shepherd’s Calendar

January, with whitening frost, Has sleep upon the trees; And birds that loved the woods in summer Are birds of absent leaves.

In quiet glades, the stillness breathes Among the mellow phlox; While in the rushy dales beneath, Are signs of hidden brooks.

As winter winds blow wild and loud, And tremble o’er the land, Yielding their shrill, chilling sound To give the year command.

• John Clare