Two Different Worlds

Here in the middle of the continent,
We inhabit two different worlds.
One is white, icy and barren -
With short periods of daylight,
Breaking up the cold dark nights.
Our other world is much more colorful.
Lush shades of green accented by fragrant flowers -
The bare branches of trees hidden by a cloud of leaves.
The sun rises early and sets late.
Even before the dawn
Birds begin their wakeup calls.
The air is warmer, sometimes even hot.
They say we have four seasons,
But in my mind, spring and fall
Are simply brief transitions between
Winter and summer - those two so different worlds.
--Kay Carlsen