A Last Lament for Winter

The first cold, harsh winds blew in November, showing up like an early unwanted guest arriving too soon. Those icy, cold days were the bleakest with not a glimpse of sun to warm our faces. Not a powdery snow which softly blanketed the ground. No. It was not to be. But instead a cold, hard ice that would not even grace us a footprint. Bravery was trudging to the mailbox and expecting to hear the crunch of the grass under my feet. Our grass instead rendered no sound, just a slippery icy terrain.

This winter season came into the room and sucked all the life out of it. The season when darkness clouds the sky and our hopes.

Until finally, one day in February the sun shone and a warm breeze blew like the breath of God breathing life back into the earth. Crocus sprouts and buttercup greens sprang up early like the earth eagerly trying on her new Spring dress. We were all happy to see it. Isn't she lovely. Hope springs eternal, says Alexander Pope.

Spring, You're my Favorite!

Ah, ...dark and dreary

Cold, hard winter

You are not my friend.

But sunshine and birdsong

Beautifully tell me that

Soon your time will end.

Green shoots and warm breezes

Tell of a new season

Of this I have no doubt

Come on longer days

Dearest Spring, you're my friend

And the welcome mat is out!

Linda Dodson