Emerging Spring

At its most specific, spring arrives at the Vernal Equinox,

the date when the earth is in equal measures of dark and light.

This year that moment here in the Shire is to be

March 20th at 1:14 in the morning.

Even so, what we all know with surety is

that spring is not met under the strike of a clock,

but emerges in the imperceptible unfolding of nature around us.

One day we are closed in our houses looking for ways to stay warm.

The next day the sun warms the earth and our spirits.

And soon ...

the leaves of spring bulbs push up through the ground.

Tiny scarlet leaves appear like blossoms on trees.

 The sword-shaped leaves of iris arrive.

The faint green of new life appears at the roots of marsh grass.

Tender violets rise.

Pine seeds cluster, readying themselves for their impending drop.

Everywhere one looks, spring unfolds in advance of its appointed hour.

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