The birds are back with songs of Spring
Their tunes incite imagining
That Winter’s end will soon arrive
And living things shall haste to thrive
~~
A Winter’s Tail, how bittersweet!
Today it’s sun, tomorrow sleet
And wind to stop us in our tracks
And cold to freeze Spring-hungry backs
~~
One day we feel a wave of hope
Warmed by our thoughts that we can cope
And then come gales of Winter still
And blizzards coat the windowsill
~~
Ho, Winter! Do your level best
Your time is near to take a rest
For Lady Spring prepares to rule
She’ll thaw your ice and warm your cool
~~
She’ll rout you, kick your icy tail
She’ll make you wish you’d stopped at hail
Who’s mighty now, oh Freezer Guy
Who rules the roost? Oh my, oh my!
Spring wakes the earth; the gardens flower
She turns grass green and makes you cower
She strips away your winter clothes
And sprinkles sunshine up your nose
She brings new life to garden trail
She gives new strength to plants so frail
To stand up ‘gainst your mighty storm
And so defy your freezing form
~~
Ho! Winter’s Tail, I kid you not
Pick up your snow and off you trot
Break down your ice and melt away
See you around, when skies are grey
~~
See you next time, oh Frigid One
But not too soon, for Spring’s begun
And three great seasons I shall see
Before you’re back to torment me.
~~
Thanks to Hamlin Grange for all original photos.
Dedicated to my friends Lisa E. and Marion W: Spring is near.
Cynthia Reyes 
The transitioning of seasons is truly wonderful for all ! Great poem
How kind of you. Thanks for visiting my blog and liking the poem.
You’re welcome
Hey i hope you don’t mind but i’d like to invite you to my blog at http://www.insanitybeautiful.wordpress.com
I have. Congrats on your blog achievements.
Why is Spring a “she” and Winter a “he”? Guys can be nurturing and springy too. Just saying.
You made me laugh. When I first wrote this poem, they were both female. then I remembered: I always say “Lady Spring”. So I was going for a bit of gender parity, there. And see? I screwed up.
I will make summer a guy. How’s that?
Joni Mitchell did that in her song “Urge for Going”. Beautiful gardens and poem, Cynthia!
Thanks, Lavinia. I know and like that saying “old man winter” but had no idea Joni Mitchell used it in her lyrics. Of course, being a musician, you’d know that! When does your March newsletter come out? I’ve been checking for it!
Quick mythology check says that Hades kidnapped Persephone, and Demeter was so upset at the loss of her daughter that her depression caused winter. Persephone came back for a visit each year, and her mother responded with spring… So, Hamlin, the male god caused the emotional upset of the female god that caused all hell to break loose. Sound familiar?
Cynthia, this is such a comical, cheery poem! Woo hoo!
I laughed out loud at your reply, Aggie.
What a hoot. And I am glad you did your mythology check.
Yoo-hoo. A great reply. Although: what does Lou think?
What an utter treat that was…:)
It was a joyful kick in the behind to the old man. Thank you for warming up my day. I wish you peace.
And what a treat your reply is. Makes me smile. Thank you.
See what I mean? Here we are giving a “kick in the behind” to “the old man.” Would anyone do the same to an “old woman.” As far as I’m concerned, Spring is a guy: virile, strong, full of optimism and very playful. Winter is a beautiful woman who invites you to cautiously play outdoors but welcomes and encourages warm hugs.
WHAT? Don’t men encourage warm hugs?
And furthermore: can’t women be strong, and playful? Although, I had better not take this too far, until I hear from more of my male readers – and females too!
I love it Cynthia!!! The changing of the season from winter to spring is the most fabulous change and beautiful colors too! I love your pictures especially the snow pic with the light in the trees!! 🙂 Enjoy your weekend!
It is such a great and welcome change, Michael. Thank you. Is there still snow on your mountain?
I am looking forward to spring! The snow and ice is all gone, I saw a few icicles this morning but those will probably be gone today too. We are having rain today and temps are supposed to get to 40. Do you still have snow on the ground?
Oh, yes, we do. But in the garden areas that get the south sun, the snow is melting off.
The melting snow and the rain we have should bring us both spring flowers really soon!! I can’t wait 🙂
Me neither! But you’ll get them first, I think. Whichever, we’ll share the photos! What new and wonderful ‘objet d’art’ are you working on this week? I’ll have to do a post about your lovely woodwork soon.
Yes, we will probably get the spring flowers first! I am working on a couple nice pieces. One large end grain board that is going to be used on a kitchen island. It will be Maple and Cherry. I also am trying to finish up 75 walnut boards for a local shop, hope to have those completed tomorrow. Lauren and I are schedule to talk Wednesday next week! I can’t wait, enjoy your weekend!
Really pretty bird. I’ve never see the same
Hmmm… Je pense: peut-etre le cardinal est un oiseau du nord?
Cardinal est donc son nom ? Je suppose en hommage au cardinal RICHELIEU ? 🙂
Oui, je le suppose aussi.
What a wonderfully fun and clever poem Cynthia! I love the photos and clever wit and rhyming. I’ll stay out of the debate on gender correctness.
I’m happy as long as spring comes in female or male form! XD
I know, Brad: you’re a lover, not a fighter. I’m glad you like the poem and photos. I wish I could write the kind of poems you write – they’re soulful. Mine are either ridiculous or very intense. But now that I consider these words: that about sums up my life these days! Big smile, Brad.
I think we’re too hard on ourselves!
I was admiring your poem while the inner critic was telling me how good your poem is and bad mine is! I find your writing engaging. And I have the waves from silly to serious too.
Maybe we can be gentler with ourselves, loving all of it and appreciating both our commonalities and differences.
Hugs and smiles my friend! 🙂
I think you’re right. Our inner critics can be so harsh and silly and I find mine worse after a long stretch of painful illness. Someone should tell that critic this is the very time to lay off the carping! Gee wiz….
LOL, tell that carp to harp off!
Yes!
Really like the 2nd and 3rd stanza. We’re all waiting – you’ve expressed it well.
Thank you. A happy weekend to you.
A lovely poem, have you really still got snow? If we are talking French then Winter is masculine but then so is Spring. In fact all the seasons are; as they are in German. But I agree Spring seems feminine. Maybe that is because we associate it with Botticelli’ s Primavera. And all that fecundity and the Earth giving birth to new life; it has to be feminine doesn’ t it?
I’m with you, Sister! La Primavera. Every time I worked in Florence I would find myself sitting on that long bench, staring at that painting. Boticelli’s Venus looked so simple, compared to La Primavera; time flew as I stared at the detail in that painting, so reminding us northerners of the earth coming to life in different ways. So take that, Hamlin! Spring is female!
This is such fun–witty, with wonderful imagery and a message we all want to hear!
Thank you, Kerry. What a nice response. I’m wishing you a good weekend!
I love this poem! A real coming-out-fighting poem! No namby-pamby buds-and-breezes for you, Cynthia! The photos of your garden are beautiful – the winter ones as well as the spring and summer ones. It won’t be long now I am sure. Just you keep on fighting and getting better! Much love C xx
Thank you, Clare. I think I’m re-finding my fighting mood, but it’s still early in the day yet! (smile) I am so grateful for the sunshine as well. And for your generous response!
My pleasure, dear Cynthia. Just don’t do too much too soon and don’t give up either. Get as much of that sunshine as you can!
OK. I promise.
Good! 😉
Excellent! It sounds like you’ve got a good case of spring fever going on. Me too!
Ya-a-ay! I’m so looking forward to Spring, Allen. What’s the weather like in Keene right now? Which reminds me: time to visit your blog. The notices of new posts still aren’t coming in so I have to check each time.
It has been warm this week but it’s supposed to be a wintery mix weekend. But then warm again next week, so we’re on our way.
Just remember Wednesday and Saturday. Those are the days that I do new posts.
OK. I’ll have to write that in my calendar. Thank you for that tip.
I really enjoyed your poem!
Thank you. How lovely of you to say so.
Spring is a sassy one! I like her style.
/Great pictures and poetry! Have a wonderful weekend!
You too, Patrick. Thank you.
Lovely lines with beautiful pictures. Soooo ready for spring! 🙂
Me too, Kim!
Such a way with words and the pictures are always perfect!! Really enjoyed reading this! Tina
Hey, Tina. You’re such a boost to one’s spirits. Thank you. Snow left yet or are you still riding that snowmobile?
We still have quite a bit of snow. I took a walk with the dog a bit ago and I could probably sneak in one more ride before it rains tomorrow
Here winter is leaving and spring is coming with a splash and a drip and melting ice around us, and the sounds of argumentative geese and ducks and seagulls. Spring is welcome in any guise, and happily welcomed by your words!
I love your comment, Margaret! Spring is welcome indeed.
Cynthia, this is wonderful. The pictures and the poem go splendidly together (like the writer and the photographer). I’m especially happy for you Easterners that spring is only a few days away.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
Thank you, Wendy. I saw the tips of tulips in the ground this morning. I nearly did a jig.
Enjoyed this poem, especially one that winter’s tail is finally gone from sight.
Thank you.
Lovely words to warm the heart and beautiful photos to match. Great post, Cynthia. 🙂
Thank you, my friend. How goes the spring in those parts?
Weather has been very warm, but also very wet with much flooding. I’m still waiting on the green. Everything is still pretty dead looking. Which is why I loved your post this morning. 🙂
Reblogged this on Cynthia Reyes – Author and commented:
One of my favourite pieces of nonsense poetry for this time of year…. Have a smile, do!
I got totally distracted by the beauty of the photos, so the words escaped. Says the word person! I blame H.
WOT? You got taken in by H’s photos and did not read my perfect poetry? I’m deeply hurt.
It’s a visual thing! 😀
Spring swoops in with a gentle sigh, takes out her paintbrush and changes the world from black and white to yellow and green.
Bernadette, that first line was so poetic, I expected you to write in poem-form! Nice indeed.
Cynthia, a beautiful poem, and the photos are perfect. I can’t separate the words from the photos, it wouldn’t have the same meaning for me. Perfect. Loved it. ☺☺☺
Thank you, Patricia. I’m glad you like both. Is it Spring where you are?
I love it! Brilliant writing laced with hope and fun. Thank you, Cynthia!
Thank you, Kate. Here’s to Spring!
Love the poem, Cynthia. And what a splendid controversy you stirred up, Better than a strong cup of coffee to wake me up this morning!
Well, reading your Spring poem reminded me of this one!
I loved this before and even more today!! Such a gifted writer you are.
I’m so glad you brought this back–I missed it before, and it is perfection! And altogether too descriptive of what our weather is like right now!
I loved this post the first time, too! I miss cardinals! They do not come this far west. Those striking red feathers against the snowy background always remind me of my New England homeland.
March has been a cold, rainy month down here, although we just mowed the lawn. Trees are beginning to bloom in some places, and some of ours are almost at bud break.
They are pretty birds, and a welcome flash of colour in winter. Cold and rainy means the start of Spring, and we’re getting that now too. But you just mowed the lawn? We’re nowhere near that yet. When do the buds fatten up on the vines?
Here in western Oregon, grass turns green in winter with the onset of the rainy season, and turns brown and tinder box dry in summer during the dry season. Grass starts growing madly in March, and generally needs mowing by the middle of the month.
The buds are fattening and showing signs of life on the vines now, and will break some time in April, weather depending. We don’t want buds to break too early because of the possibility of frosts. It all depends on the whims of Mother Nature. 🙂
Beautiful poem, Cynthia, and the pictures are perfect!! Especially the bright cardinal. Lovely post. 🙂
Thank you!
Brings a smile to my face again. Such beautiful pictures as always
Lovely words and gorgeous Cardinal. Hope Mother Nature is listening. 🙂