Thursday, April 28, 2011

Uncovering Spring



Spring always comes in a rush of sound and color. Robins call from the trees, “Mine, mine, mine, this tree is mine!” Red winged blackbirds bob up and down on the cattails near the swamp, chittering to one another. Geese and ducks return to the pond and gabble incessantly as they stake out nesting sites. A chipmunk scolds from high in the big pine as I rake pine needles and dead flower stalks from the garden beds. There under the leaf mold, wearing a crown of last year’s maple leaves is a daffodil’s bright green spears and vivid yellow trumpet. There is nothing so determined as a flower in spring.

Everywhere I look, this year’s birth is running into last year’s death. The new grass, emerald green, is smothering last year’s lawn killed by the winter cold. The goldenrod that bloomed in lemony profusion last September has been reduced to dry spindly stalks that lean together in bent and broken disarray. My rake uncovers the pale green leaves of daylilies and the rounded, darker green leaves of violets. Crocus, not waiting for me, are in full bloom, their Easter-colored petals making bright spots in the drab border.

There is an urgency to the season. Days of rain followed by warm sun encourage rapid growth. The seeds and bulbs won’t wait. My back aches from bending and lifting, my arms are covered with scratches where the recalcitrant rose brambles and the sharp ends of flower stalks have cut them, but my heart sings at the sight of the first blossoms. I have uncovered spring!











Thanks Hilary!

11 comments:

Brian Miller said...

smiles. spring is in full bloom here as well...the flowers are beautiful and the song of the birds so sweet

Tabor said...

Spring is short...esp. in my neighborhood. I usually get 3 days of spring then 3 days of summmer followed by 3 days of spring...etc.

Barbara said...

It's so reassuring when the flowers bloom once more. Even indoors, my amaryllis has decided to honor the arrival of spring with a splendid showing of bright blooms.

Dulçe ♥ said...

I can smell the flowers as they come out of your spring words... lovely post.

Reya Mellicker said...

This is beautiful! You describe exactly the rushing, urgent, noisy energy of early spring.

Life will find a way!

Anne said...

Here we have what looks like spring but doesn't feel like it. The woods are all feathery green, the flowers blooming (late), but brrr -- its still so cold.

Pauline said...

Brian - it's one of my favorite times of year!

Tabor - I think (hope) we're done with that roller coaster

Barbara - those smiling flower faces are most welcome!

Thanks Dulce, I can smell them too!

And thank you Reya - it is an urgent season for sure

Anne - I know what you mean! It could warm up a bit here too

Hilary said...

Finally, it's here. And your words bring me the best of it. Beautiful.

Elizabeth Grimes said...

A very well described beginning of spring! Congrats on your POTW!

Out on the prairie said...

This is very nicely portrayed.

Pauline said...

Thanks, Hilary - it's such fun to try to paint with words...

Elizabeth - thank you :)

OOTP - thank you, too. Love the little yellow kayak in your photo:)