Fragments of Winter Into Spring
Stephanie Gordon, Member
Sidewalks wet with muddy sludge
Old remnants of torn autumn leaves
Crackling thin films of ice
Pooled, shallow, dirty water
Sticks and pebbles stuck in cracks
And I, gingerly walking home.
I lift my chest, swing my arms
Breathe deeply
Chilly air feels fresh
No sprigs of green, yet
No tiny flowers pushing through the earth
Hardened, crusty snow receding
Water trickles near the edge of lawns.
Morning raindrops fall softly on my coat
I smell spring rain in the offing
The sprinkles were a teaser
Main attraction, Mister Cardinal
Singing his cheer, cheer, what, what, what
From the still, leafless tree-top.
Earth is waking from her winter slumbers
She aches from atrophied tree limbs
Sometimes air is sharp and tangy cold
Breezes shyly drift from more windy blasts
Hope is reborn in such moments
Grab onto the scent of newness, hold tight
Soon the bright cloak of spring pops free!