I’m ready for spring.

Winter’s clinging on

with a dead man’s grip,

throwing a last defiant freeze at us.

But I’m ready for spring.

The roads and fields were spectacular,

swathed in their pristine white mantle,

and the picture postcard blizzard

was spectacularly beautiful

looking through my window.

But I’ve had enough now.

There’s an expectation thrusting through,

like the green shoots I long to see.

A racial memory

that says winter’s time is past

and spring is just around the corner.

Now is the time

for the sun to recover its warmth.

Now is the time

for birds to return.

Now is the time

when we can put away the heavy coats,

the gloves and mufflers,

the sturdy boots.

Yes, there’ll still be cold days,

an icy wind from time to time,

but it’s just winter dragging its heels.

I’m ready for spring.