Momentous March Melts

Let this verse be a record
thinks the Widow Wyile
of how fast snow falls and fills
how fast snow melts and runs
a repeating seasonal spectacle
steering the routines
of planetary beings all
in snowed upon climes

The second week of March
brings copious rain
then sun and surprising heat
initiating the momentous melting
of snow and ice

From one day to the next
white mounds recede
revealing springy earth
running rivulets
soon form streams
the first shoots and blooms
of hardy plants appear
presto!
in small bursts of greens
and colours vibrant
upon the shriveled browns
of the previous year’s growth
predictably however
for those familiar with this cycle
though many willfully feign amnesia
while temperatures soar
and the sun warms their hopes

Week three sees everything
c o v e r e d    a g a i n
in white wet snow
and so the game of cover
uncover proceeds in repeats
for the weeks of winter’s exodus
and spring’s steady yet seemingly
uncertain entry

Somehow despite the similar look
in snow laden branches and ground
whatever the autumn
winter or spring month
a subtle yet palpable difference
most notably is felt
near the start and the finish
one a settling  reluctant or not
the other the sense
                      of  an   opening   out

The repeating spectacle and reality
of seasonal change raises
anticipation
a range of feelings
hopes
fears
depending on the observer
what is witnessed
and perceived regarding this
wonder of nature
tempest of tampering
joint juggernaut

Whatever the case
the intensity
of the variations
in temperature
and in-clement weathers
play of uncover
cover up
melt
recover
see spring ahead
saw winter return
other signs are irrefutable
the busyness of birds
advance of buds and blooms
the difference in light
so planetary inhabitants
wait out storms
or are swept up
for better or worse
within expected patterns
and the vagaries of change
that feel normal or dramatic
by context or turn

The dainty snowdrop meanwhile
springs from beneath receding snow
its stout green body sturdy
its snow white belle head dangles
and dances in the wind

Robert John Thornton, 1807, The Snowdrop, Public Domain Image Archive

Illustration of trees & birds on Sensoulability landing page by Ritam Baishya on Unsplash