Spreading Happiness

Spring appears in waves of magenta, ochre, and kelly green Prisms dance across hallways and ceilings Raucous laughter rolls over fields of clover Each child spreads their arms and runs, tumbles, and blows bubbles Afternoon picnics are spread with red and white checkered cloths and finger foods while the sun beams down Drowsy from the heat, young girls wander smiling in their white dresses and daisy crowns towards the pond Ice cold, melting sweet tea is served to thirsty groups and graciously accepted after the long hike to the peak Never-ending tides lap against the white sand, a boy returns a beach ball to the volleyball players Giving thanks, receiving blessings, they hold hands ‘round the dinner table and then break hot crusty rolls and reminisce on memories of winter Hope ascends with the morning over the tops of the swaying Cyprus trees All the house is still sleeping, tucked into homemade quilts Percolating coffee soon rouses the senses of the dreamy folk and they descend the stairs, wiping their eyes Periwinkle flowers, dazzling crimson rose bushes and salty air beckons from open windows Into the brambles the boys traipsed with their pretend guns and stick ponies while the girls shrieked with laughter and then ran to join in Nutmeg, clove, and orange rinds bubbled on the stove and wafted through the cabin as mothers gazed at the merriment outdoors Each glorious hour passed like dandelions in the wind Spring enveloped the village into her loving arms She sang to each and every home and family songs of blowing white curtains, fields of Heather, sparkling dewy skin and the promise of another day