Ice Slipping Away

Spring is in the air;
The cow bellows with delight;
Hens cackle smugly.

Ice slipping away;
Snow banks begin to recede;
Tinkling of water.

Hooting of a bird;
Shadows crisscross on the road;
Sun warmth on my neck.

Soft paths of shadows
On the snow and through the woods,
Tempered by the sun.


















Roaring in the woods--
Is it an awakened bear
Or just Spring's promise?

Woodpecker rattles--
Somewhere a high pitched bird chirps;
Plane rumbles above.

Brown patches appear;
Earth begins to show its face
And play tag with snow.

Cold breath from the woods
Breathes softly across the road.
Winter is not done.

The warmth on my face,
Sounds of birds, planes, and buzz saws
Can't be photographed.

A flitter of birds
Flock through bare forsythia
And then out again.

It's alive again--
Stream tinkles and flows darkly
Shedding its snow coat.