The First Day of Spring

Today is the first day of Spring, and a welcome change of season around here since this winter pummeled the Eastern Seaboard with three major snow storms that began before Christmas and ended with a fourth storm, a nor'easter in the beginning of March and produced 70 mph winds and torrential rain. We are due for a change.

Today is like a balmy summer day, with the temperature over 70 and not a leaf stirring. So I offer this sonnet in celebration of the change of the season, and with hopes that we have left winter far behind us. While the picture is a little premature so far, the hope is high.

Sonnet 9
Christopher Bogart

Crisp shadows slowly creep across the lawn
To silhouette each leaf and bright green spear.
Each slender flower nods to breezes gone.
Soft scents spring from the soil as summer’s near.
On bowing branches, dogwood petals sprout.
Broad-leafed magnolia brims with pink cupped flow’rs.
From bridal veil, white snow lies all about.
Pale color creates a show that lasts for hours.
Then, suddenly the sky turns to slate gray.
A gentle patter drums upon new leaves.
The rain lasts but a fraction of the day,
Ending with the last drips from the eaves.
Each time the sun triumphantly appears.
And so it is each day, each Spring, each year.