The southern catalpa blossoms
Were spread across the gravel road
Like the flower girl of Mother Earth
Preparing the aisle before the bride
Of the marriage of Her
To the sweetness of spring
Promises of fertile lands
Handfasting Herself to the bosom of blossoms 
Exchanging vows like honey on the tongue
Sweet, clean dewdrops dripping from Her eyes
Even through the thunderous moments
Of icy bleakness that winter carries
When trees start to fall 
From the heaviness of darker days
Mother Earth holds fast to her vows
To be ever present
Singing harmonious songs with the birds
Loving each day and season
As if it were a new opportunity
To find growth and prosperity
To honor all these stages
Of life, change, death, newness