Signs of Spring

Yesterday, the duck couple returned
paddling in the small circle of open water on our still-frozen pond
My son broke the snow shovel trying to dig out the basketball hoop
—the base was still under a foot of snow and frozen to the ground
but somehow, the warm weather said, "Time to play"
The crocuses on the side of the house grew up and bloomed out of the slush
My car is covered in mud from the road that has turned soft and oozy
Two birds bumped into the living room window in the throws of their show-off flying
We opened the windows to let the fresh air brush through the house and bring it back to life
This morning, the cats stand at the glass doors, chirping at the birds who've been gone too long
I do not have to hunt for mittens and hat and snow pants to pack with the child
as he heads off to school with just a hoodie for a coat
There is no fire to tend in the wood stove
I am daydreaming of summer guests, birthdays and a book launch—and parties to celebrate them
I wonder if it's too, too soon to bring out the deck furniture (probably)
I am pondering a long walk in the woods before the black flies start to stir
Later, I will clip a few forsythia sprigs to force some bright yellow a week or two early
And I'll begin my daily treks around the house,
guessing when I'll get all the way around without touching snow,
and making embarrassing sounds of glee
each time I see something green poking its way out of the snowy mulch
Life and hope return
Somehow, they always do


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Monday Morning Warm-Up:

What are your signs of spring?


p.s. Thank you very much for all of the thoughtful comments on Friday's post. You all filled me with hope and gladness. xoxo