As
many have noted, it has been a long, brutal winter across most of the eastern
half of the United States. At this point most of us are desperate
for any sign of Spring. Most years I would be scouting for the
pioneer snow lilies and crocus and quite often not be disappointed. This year they still lay dormant in the
frozen ground under layers of snow and ice.
We
have had a respite from snow for more than a week, and that’s a relief. But the damn Polar Vortex plunged us back into temperature that would be Winter lows many years. So when I accidentally discovered this totally
unexpected sign, I clove to it with near religious fervor.
Unfortunately,
the snow has returned and we are expecting several fresh inches over the next
couple of days. All of the work I
discovered is buried again. No doubt a
temporary setback for the tiny workers….
Harbinger of
Spring
There it was in
the cold gray morning
as I waited for my bus
at the end of my driveway.
Right there
between the round toes
of my heavy yellow winter boots
on the old asphalt only recently
freed of the last ice
in the cracks the cruel season had
opened.
I had to look
twice to be sure
but yes, yes there it was
the plain and simple evidence
not to be denied.
Here and there
small mounds of fresh soil
and new holes of
relentlessly industrious and hardy
ants
mining the frozen earth
just under that
shattered slab
erupting defiantly
to the surface
Thick snow
capped by glistening ice
prevented their easy emergence
in the lawn under the dormant trees
so they chose here
where only puny human surface
barred the way
and mere water cleared the way.
The bus pulled
up
I scrambled on
and thought about the fresh snow
yet to come.
—Patrick
Murfin
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