Early spring

The vernal equinox — the first day of spring — arrived on March 20 at 05:14 Universal Time. This is its earliest arrival since the year 1896.

A sunny day, quite warm for March,
with little wind calls one to stray
outdoors to face the springtime chores
while bent, on knees, or on all fours.

The winter left its mark this time
with frost-browned stems, leaves, buds exposed,
but there’s a buzz of life around
that fills the heart without a sound.

A sunny day, quite warm for March,
green shoots and nodding daffodils
bring colour to this early spring
as those above cheep, tweet, and sing.