* "Something told the wild geese it was time to go": This line signifies the instinctual drive of migrating birds, particularly geese. They sense the changing seasons and understand it's time to move south for warmer weather.
* "though fields lay golden": This describes the beauty of the harvest season, with golden fields of crops ready for gathering. It contrasts with the coming winter.
* "something whispered snow": This line embodies the approaching winter. It suggests a subtle, but undeniable change in the air, hinting at the coming cold and snow.
The overall meaning: The stanza highlights the natural cycle of seasons and the inherent wisdom of creatures like geese who understand and respond to these changes. It emphasizes the contrast between the vibrant warmth of summer (golden fields) and the imminent arrival of winter (snow). The "something" that whispers snow represents the unseen force of nature guiding all living things through the changing seasons.