I think the flowers are getting stereotyped.
And the buds on the trees, too. And Easter bunnies. Pretty much anything that’s fresh and new in this world, for that matter, is getting short shrifted.
It’s spring; or at least, it’s supposed to be. And when we think of spring, we think of things that are cute and cuddly, soft and fuzzy. Little baby chicks and rabbits and ducks. The soft, almost translucent petals on fresh daffodils. Gentle blossoms waving in warm spring breezes.
But when I look at what’s blossoming around here, these things are anything but delicate and fragile.
These things are wise: from deep inside the Earth, before spring afternoons warm the ground they wrap themselves in, they know when it’s time to start peeling back the layers of winter. While we are all waiting and wondering about their emergence, they’ve already got the date and time of arrival hardwired into the mainframe.
These things are strong: they may look so small, but they endure the treacherous passing from one world into another, from the place of slumber into the place of awakening. And once they arrive, they weather the icy rains and cold blasts April throws at them without so much as a backward glance.
These things, they are brave: in these parts of the country, Spring isn’t a guarantee. The weeks can roll over into May and even June before the sun really reappears. But these newborn things, they take the lead and become the promise we need: that the cold and darkness does have to come to an end, and that the growing season is really just ahead.
Beautifully worded. Such hope in a hard, cold world. As always, your writing inspires me.
xo, Shannon
Posted by: Shannon | April 17, 2011 at 09:30 AM
SOOO needed especially this week with more snow on the way. UGH! Thanks for brightening my day as you always do! :)
Posted by: Tracy Mangold | April 18, 2011 at 09:06 AM
I LOVE this. Though I live it a place that is either spring or summer...never fall or winter, I appreciate the idea of spring. Really beautiful.
Posted by: Brandee | April 18, 2011 at 09:13 AM
Ahhh....this is so appropriate. The spring does manage to push through and arrive.
Posted by: Dragonfly | April 18, 2011 at 06:23 PM
Thanks all! I needed to remind myself that Spring really will get here ... even though it's still snowing in Chicago!
Posted by: Noel | April 20, 2011 at 12:51 PM