The bitter cold

releases its grip and

the earth smiles, tickled

by the silent spread of ice crystals

turned soggy and soaking deep into

the yellow brown shards of grass long

given up to husks that hug and protect the

surface of dirt and rocks and seeds and roots

the sullen crust that will soon give rise to a mat

of sprouting green blades tangled with ragwort and

butterweed to blanket the vast expanse of rolling hills

summoning the mice and moles, the larva that explode into

butterflies and bull frogs and mosquitoes as the robins, blue jays

and hawks scoop up mouthful day after sparkling day, embraced by

the air resplendent with a potpourri of intoxicating smells that banish

all memories of bleak winter days and long frigid nights to the moment

when the lingering light gives promise that spring is almost here at last