the dogwood holds out its buds
in tight-fingered spring,
weeks after the juncos began to sing
and the robins to trill their territories
even the cherry trees twisted with age
have thrust their changing into the air,
as though they feel the need to prove
they can still and burst themselves
pink with the effort
all this for clutches of crows’ eggs
and creamy crowned daffodils
nodding delight in spite
of a fresh invasion of snails
© Sarah Whiteley
It is done. I officially finished with the deadline madness at about half past eight tonight. There will be plenty of clean-up to handle, but the hard part is over and done. I can’t say I handled myself with complete grace in the last few hours and I’m a little ruffled in spirit right now, but I think a good solid weekend and returning to a normal workflow will set things right.
Anyway, I am so happy to be back and in a place where I can start writing more regularly and visiting all those lovely writerly corners of the web that I’ve missed during the past several weeks. (You know who you are!)
Welcome back Sarah.
I will report on Spring over here when it eventually arrives!!
David
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Thanks, David! I heard spring was slow in coming out that way. Hope that it’s soon for you 🙂
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The giant dogwoods on my property are blooming. My house deck is surrounded making me feel as though I am in a tree house high in the forest. I can see nothing but bare tree branches and dogwood flowers. How lucky am I. Wish you all could have this experience. Spring is here even if it snows again.
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that sounds absolutely beautiful – I’m so glad that you’re wise enough to appreciate it!
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OH! Snails!
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Yup. Snails. I do not recommend accidentally stepping on them while walking the dogs at 5 in the morning. It is extremely unpleasant.
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ooch! As a child on an Air Force base in Okinawa, I stepped on so many snails, never on purpose. I still cringe remembering it! I don’t like snails. I have eaten a couple, however. Not bad.
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There appear to be pros and cons to each season….like the two sides of spring presented in you verse.
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you are exactly right, Charles 🙂
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spring is definitely here, at last… ! Sarah 😉
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🙂 hooray!
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hallelujah -good for you- I loved the dogwood and cherry trees in this poem, Sarah, even liked the snail invasion! Enjoy some well deserved R&R – K
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thanks, Kathleen! I don’t mind snails as long as I see them and can step OVER them… that part’s key!
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welcome back sarah. Glad you are back…..
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xoxo. is it snowing where you are still?
it’s cold here. not snowing, but coooollllddddd.
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so I shouldn’t tell you it’s supposed to hit the mid-60’s this week? must say I do not miss spring in the Midwest (I think they’re pretty much in your same boat right now) may spring find you soon! 🙂
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Your cherry trees have burst themselves pink and just today, so have our Magnolias! 🙂
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Ooh, I do love magnolias. But I doubt I’d ever have one in my yard – they make such a mess between shedding husks and dropping big waxy petals everywhere. But I love to stop and smell them 🙂 Glad you’re getting spring over there, Val. I’d heard it was slow in coming.
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The robins (european variety) are feeding each other now… egglings later!
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