O April

O April how I’ve longed for your return to breathe new life into this gnarled body.. for these roots to be unfettered from the grasping earthen frost - the past season of fanged nor’easters gnashed me bare - leaving me mauled and dulled alone with stiffened limbs lifted to face the hard glower of old man winter with not a morsel of mercy to be gained but April now that you're here to share the innocence of the daisy and the honeyed scent of the sweet pea I feel inspirited like a sapling young and tender again; mild is the fog’s embrace in early morn as I taste your sweetened rainwater and gentle is the rhythm of baptizing showers bathing dark days away.. and ever grateful is my grayed heart as it begins to beat with the fresh pulse of verdant rebirth oh April how easily you inspire my shy imagination to fly with the zephyr's muse to expand my artistry in an afternoon’s brushstroke of forsythia light dreams once frozen now thawed and golden eager to flourish in bloom awakening the poetry in a new leaf’s unfurling whisper - a whisper that grows a praising wind-psalm as choirs of bursting buds celebrate revival with a rustling alleluia! star-shaped sails rouse in swishing sounds their leafy lyrical breath one with the breeze my green-laden boughs now a wellspring of exuberant born-again voices a thronging rejoice lifted to the heavens on the whisk of the westerlies; supple is my sweep and sway ‘neath the soft-bellied skies of Spring dear lady, April how I revel in the glorious abundance of your Nature; your nurture enlivens my humble woody being and though gray may shade my weather-beaten heart.. evergreen is my soul Susan Ashley April 12, 2021 ~ First Place ~ Premiere Contest: April Sponsor: Regina McIntosh