The Beauty and the Bleakness of Early Spring

Photo by J. Sharland Day

We left the tropics at the end of March,

Lush greenness embedded in our minds.

The swaying palms and the flowering shrubs

Showing colors of all kinds.

As we traveled north the colors changed,

From Kelly Green to Forest.

Higher elevations brought changes as we drove,

We began seeing branches at their barest.

It’s early Spring, in north Mexico we see,

The lightsaber green of new buds.

In Texas the meadows have bloomed,

But storm clouds could bring rain and floods.

The meadows may fill, the trees won’t be still,

Soon comes strong winds, lightning, and thunder,

And Mother Nature’s labor pains are seen,

As she tears trees and flowers asunder.

While we drive, we see that the green remains green,

And the beauty of spring delights us.

The grass and the fields are as green as can be, 

As it grows and flourishes without fuss.

The warmth in southern states brings a greener spring,

Much sooner than further north, we see.

For when we enter the Midwest, as if it’s a test,

We notice there’s nary a leaf on a tree.

Photo by J. Sharland Day

The warm balmy climate we’d enjoyed further south,

Has turned cold, and I reflect, 

When needing long pants, long sleeves, and a coat

From that difference I say, “What the heck!”

“What happened to the warmth and greenness of Spring?

The winds are bitter and trees bare,

It’s cloudy and cold,” I can’t help but whine,

  As I look out the window and stare.

The statuesque forms of many branches

Raising arms out like a skeleton, 

Wishing they were covered with leaves of green,

And for Spring to come and be done.

But then I began seeing green peeking out,

And knew the tiny buds would pop free,

As soon as the sunshine decided to linger,

The buds would then have leaves that we’d see.

And after we’d stopped to camp for the night, 

The next morning, I was stunned at the sight,

Of seeing through the many leafless branches

The morning sun’s glow through the trees so bright.

It was an amazing moment to recognize, 

That the bare branches were like silhouettes

Framing the magical glow of the sunrise

Letting me feel no regrets,

For having the green trees all around

The warmth and comfort, too.

For I could see the beauty of the bleak

And the promise of green when it’s due.

Photo by J. Sharland Day

The moral of my story is easy enough to see,

It’s simply a token reminder,

That we need to be patient and remember well

Respecting Mother Nature and mind her,

For she knows best what is good for our earth,

And will do well for us if we respect her.

If we do not, she becomes cranky and mad,

And to show us she’ll create quite a stir.