As Winter Yields, And Spring Sighs
As winter yields, and spring sighs…..
the ice on the pond relaxes, relenting its hold
the ground gives way, a slow warming
to allow the snowy liquid to be absorbed nourishing
courageous early bloomers rise with trepidation,
breaking through to finally stretch toward the sun
winged natives, begin their songs of gratitude and praise,
and make ready for the mating season
March is so mutable, such a fickle one.
Do not underestimate its hold on winter, unrelenting.
But winter is nudging me, and saying goodbye in such subtle ways.
It is time for spring to make plans to visit, sailing in on warming winds.
So I am readying for spring’s hello, and winter’s goodbye as March traverses along.
© Donna Donabella 2018
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In spring I see the subtle signs of spring….those I listed above. And this year as February ended those signs appeared. Unfortunately we had a beast of a storm on March 2nd that dropped a foot and a half of snow on us. And more snow comes daily with cold winds. So now we wait for the signs of spring to come again perhaps by March end. You can read more about the storm and my garden in this post.
The pictures here are from my garden. Snow covered back garden, and pond thawing.
I am joining in with Poets United for their weekly poetry link up for poets who blog.
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I leave you with a few additional words about Winter yielding, and spring sighing. I welcome you to download the photo and share it.
All other photos and original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Living From Happiness, 2014-2018. Any reprints or use of other photos or content is by permission only.
This is the way I’ve been feeling this week, Donna! I especaily love the lines:
‘the ice on the pond relaxes, relenting its hold’
and
‘courageous early bloomers rise with trepedition (do you mean trepidation?),
breaking through to finally stretch toward the sun’.
Thanks Kim and for catching the spelling error that I thought I had corrected…all fixed!! 🙂
Love this! Especially; “courageous early bloomers rise with trepedition, breaking through to finally stretch toward the sun.” You capture beautifully the arrival of Spring! 🙂
It is a slow arrival and I love watching it as I have time these days…nature is so rewarding in all she shows us!
Yes, March is a fickle month. There is hope for the warmth to follow, but yet the grasp of winter is strong…and we definitely have to be prepared for her cold blasts and showers of snow! As much as we try to say good-bye to winter, it seems oftentimes in March that March is not quite ready to say good-bye to us. I like your poem. I am appreciating the ‘slow warming’ going on at present. May it continue!
Thanks Mary….March I think can be the hardest month as we anticipate spring coming as it does in so many other warmer spots…and when it doesn’t, disappointment sets in. Maybe I need a shot of spring in travels to warmer places in March!
Indeed, March the marking month, slowly bringing in the weather changes.
Yes ever so slowly.
Lovely seasonal evocation Donna…
Thank you Scott!
like the thought of one season relenting and letting another take its place…
Here it is a slow letting go and you can watch the fighting over who will win out.
March has been crazy for me too. Thankfully the power outages from the last two storms weren’t too bad. I really hope that the Sunday evening/Monday morning storm just doesn’t happen. I’m ready for spring!
I too hope for no more storms and a thaw.
I love the sense of movement in this poem – you really capture the essence of a change in the seasons
Thank you Jae Rose….it moves differently in each different area, and is fascinating to watch as if it is alive….an animal in nature coming to life.
ah, the anticipation of spring returning!
no such chance over here, hot humid days with an occasional thunderstorm thrown in. 🙂
I lived in a hot climate for a couple of years and missed the seasons I grew up with….so I am here dealing with snow….and I do love it, just now it is time for it to go.
Now that I live in Florida, I actually miss the snow sometimes. But I do remember how long March could be…I hope your signs of spring return soon! Beautiful photos and poetry.
Thank you Sherri! It will come eventually….
Such beautiful thoughts of Winter’s end and Spring’s beginning…yes, sometimes it is hard to know for sure, is it over? Will it come again? Is spring really here?
Yes the back and forth of it can be exasperating in March….but definitely spring is not here yet…..too much snow and cold continuing.
We are not yet there… the winter can still come back, but we all know it’s coming with the light coming back.
Yes the light gives us hope for spring….
Your opening line is so critical to the feeling and depth of this poem.
Thanks for dropping by my Sunday Standard today Donna
much love…
Thank you….it was the line that first came to me and seemed to settle upon the land as I watched the seasons wrestling.
Every year, so lovely to see the sun loosening winter’s grip, the land responding and stirring in readiness for new growth. Yay. It never gets old for this old gardener.
Oh I agree it never gets old Sherry…waiting for spring so I can garden!
You have captured the soul of the season in your poem, most enjoyable.
Thank you so much Julian.
Yes, I can feel winter lingering a bit here as snow is still very visible. Yet, spring is waiting to show it’s beauty. You have captured this so beautifully in your poem.
I am sorry to hear your spring is still a no show. Glad you enjoyed the poem.
On this side of the world I am hoping that autumn pushes her big sister summer out of the door. And already planning what to put in the garden for a spring display. Me thinks I am getting ahead of myself.
Oh garden dreaming is perfect I think. Hoping your summer and my winter shift finally.
For people in the colder parts of the Northern Hemisphere, it must be so exciting when Spring finally arrives. (However I am not hankering o change places!)
Indeed it is…I literally sing and dance around my garden! But we are now looking at another winter storm headed our way…3rd one in 10 days…Yikes!
Lovely write Donna–this transition is one of my favorites–feels one slide away as the other peeks out!
Thank you Audrey….it seems winter and spring are playing hide and seek.
We cope with the seasons, looking forward to each one as each have their allure even winter; yet as each year passes we come to grips with age and see that we too mimic nature and wonder if we will ever see this season again. Then we remember that sad line from Little Women of Shelley’s poem “O, Wind, if winter comes can spring be far behind”. Beautiful writing Donna.
I love your take on seasons and aging Robin. Thank you.
Me too…
Soon I keep telling myself. All the signs point to it.
Sometimes winter just doesn’t let go easily, does it? Surely not quickly enough for those who live in snow country!
No it does not. We need a change soon.
First of all, I love the title of your blog. Then I love the poem. Winter is resistant to spring’s sighs, but at some point it must surrender. Beautiful poem!
Oh thank you so much Susie….and yes at some point winter has to give in to spring…..soon I hope!
PS-I love the name of your blog too….
A wonderful post – the poem, the artwork and the narrative. I so agree … March is such a fickle one.
Oh I am pleased Wendy….thank you! Now if I can only convince March to allow spring to come out and play.
You northerners have had a tough winter this year and are all desperate for the Spring. It will come soon. Enjoy every day of it.Me, I dream of an endless summer…it can never be too hot for me.
Here where I live the winter is always long and tough…any warm sunny weather is appreciated….enjoy your endless summer!