The vernal equinox may mark the first day of astronomical spring, but the first spring day is a different thing entirely. There is one day when the trees turn into leaves.
It has been such a long time in the cold this year. Snow and polar vortex subzero wind chills. This is the day we have been waiting for all winter.
Sun and blue sky, asking, “are you ready?” Everything answers Yes.
Yes the daffodils snowdrops and crocus. Yes the pussy willows blooming.
Yes the cats rolling on the sidewalks, yes the laundry drying.
Yes the girls without hats, and their hair in the air. Yes Friday and the loosening of ties.
In the plazas, the pigeons are dancing.
Weather sings in algorithms and poetry–roofers on the house across the alley.
Yes new masonry, and new shoes. Yes the opening of windows.
Yes grilling on the fire escape. Yes outside in the evenings.
Yes robins and sparrows. Yes the Lenten roses.
Yes, yes, all the spring ephemerals growing amid the brown leaves.
Yes the grass again.
Yes, red shoots of peonies.
And, here’s Chiberian spring.
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Tags: ephemeral spring
YES!
OUI!
¡Sí!
Thank you! Merci beaucoup! ¡Muchas gracias!
Did you do beautifully at this?
Yes!
So glad you enjoyed it. Thank you so much!
Pigeons dancing on the plaza
Ain't something that I dread.
I fear them when they do a number
Flying overhead.
Alas, the pigeon, much maligned
has a long and honored history.
Just why they dance around like that
is something of a mystery.
Tis the courtship of the spring, ensuing---
the love of doves,
that billing and cooing.
WG, I would never cast aspersions on our feathered urban friend. My dad raised pigeons as a hobby. So I grew up watching them perch outside the coop at the top of our garage. I even had the privilege of cleaning out the coop that was shared by numerous beetles of some kind.
BTW, nice verse.
AW, your delightful verses inspired me, again. Please take my response in fun. Thank you for your wonderful story!
Many people don't like the wild pigeons, though. And pigeon droppings can be corrosive--for example, the Chagall mosaic in Citibank Plaza had to be restored, and a protective canopy put
over it.
Did you know, people are taking photos of their bookshelves, now--#shelfies! I am not making this up.
Ha! I didn't know about the Chagall. He doesn't deserve such ignominious treatment. But then again what do pigeons know about fine art? I have something in common with a pigeon: we're both doves.
On that last FYI, hey, I can do that.
I guess to the pigeons, the Chagall mosaic makes a very handy landing strip. Do people still keep pigeons...I think there are still racing clubs in the City.
I thought you'd like the shelfies! Now, there's a post for you...