A Birthday Greeting (1981)

The sun is winter; the winds blow cold,
Autumn casts its many hues,
Squirrels hoarding, oh! so bold,
Mists elm and beech and yew.

You were born at such a time,
Where did your warmth acquire?
Being with you is to climb
Up to a wondrous spire.

Thoughtful and generous, loving too,
How can a man repay?
By with love, then I do,
And with these words I say—

Happy Birthday, Darling Kate,
My thanks for all the years,
I only hope it is my fate
Not to cause you many tears.

— Mike