Today's Heads or Tails prompt is "Springtime Memory." I grew up in northern Idaho and the first sign of spring was always a joy after a long, cold winter. I also lived in Wyoming for about ten years (seemed like longer), where winter is even more relentless and severe. I wrote down a few thoughts about early spring in the mountains. If you are curious as to how this piece sounds in guttural monotone, you can hear me read it by clicking here.
Springtime in the Rockies
Vernal sun erases winter frowns as surely as a drug expunges pain
Hearts encumbered by cabin fever released into the warmth
Optimistic blades of grass poke through stubborn snow remaining
Children kicking through the slush, parkas retired for at least today
Skinny deer seeking feed long buried, nourished and hopeful
Garages reorganized, snowmobiles for motorcycles and skis for golf clubs
Windows opened that had been frozen shut, fresh air in, stale air out
Birds arriving from their hibernal roost, voice their delight in song
Their melodies bring welcomed joy to the tomb like silence of arctic cold
Squirrel gangs emerge from their winter hole in the wall hideout
A single flower risking exposure, banking that it is truly spring
A wire brush to the Weber grill, search for “Kiss the Cook” apron
The marshmallow world becomes colorized in growing earth tone plots
Dry creek beds overflow with runoff, water much colder than the springtime air
Audible crazing as ice gives way, the sound of winter retreating
Budding renewal as life emerges from winter kill, a rebirth
Ecstasy in the mountains as survivors gambol in the healing balm
Hibernation ends jubilation begins, forest families take roll
Natural adversaries postpone conflict to revel in resurrection
Before hunger and temperament set Darwin’s laws into motion
All life that lay dormant, rekindled by nature’s new beginning
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Heads or Tails - "Springtime Memory" - 3/10/09
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16 comments:
Such nice memories! Love the pictures of spring peeking out too.
Your post is so well written. Now I cannot wait for spring to get here! I love the pictures too.
That was quite lovely to read and the photos are beautiful.
Tabbikat's Thoughts
Loved your post! Spring is my favorite time of the year. I am not sure I could live where the winter is so long and hard.
Great pics too.
Wonderful post! Terrific photos and narrative that sings of spring.
Yep, certain words just push home a thought a bit better than others.
Quite a testimony to hope and renewal. I truly could crawl right inside some of those memories, ready to burst out for that arrival of spring. Having lived where I have and do, I must confess, makes me realize that I am ready to fore go that particular yearly elation in lieu of a more consistant level of optimism.co
These are fine pictures, especially of the bear. I also really liked the sharp twist of Darwin's law at the end of your poem, a reminder that we can't romanticize nature.
This is great. I love this line 'Audible crazing as ice gives way, the sound of winter retreating'. I used to love the sound of ice falling off of the trees almost like the trees are shaking off the ice like a dog shakes off water. Love ya Carly
I can't wait for spring! Winter here isn't quite as bad as Wyoming, but this year was bad enough. Love the pictures!
That was lovely. You captured it all so well!
LOVED THIS!!!!!
Such pretty pictures!
Too bad about the writing.
What I remember of spring in the Silver Valley was lots of gray fog ( smelter smoke)first, then about a week of weather that was a bit warmer without rain, then the lilacs bloomed,it rained, and the river flooded,then spring had arrived.
oh..... and somewhere in there the golf course opened!
Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful! :)
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