A Spring Study in Black and White

 Who doesn’t love a night when the streets

are quiet and the snow is fresh?

‘Tis the season of delicate pastel tulips, the sunny faces of jonquils, deep purple pansies.  But you’ll see none of that today.  I give you a study of spring in black and white, courtesy of the late-season, unexpected blizzard that hit us.  Let me start with a haiku that floated through my mind as I swept the foot of snow off my SUV and dug it out of the mountain the snowplow had piled around it.

Spring sits quietly,
anticipating its entrance.
White whispers “wait.”

I’m pretty sure neither the dogwood on the left or akousa on the right will be blooming by Easter.  The hanging basket was supposed to be filled by now with those spring pansies I mentioned above.

I love the geometric lines that are so prominent after a heavy snowfall.

Husband and dog taking their usual evening walk.

I enjoyed finding the spots of color in a world of black and white.

The sun came out enough to melt some flakes and to give us hope that spring will come.

 

Has spring sprung in your area?  What do you do to survive the seasonal transition when it drags on too long?  If you’re lucky enough to live someplace where spring has arrived, what is your favorite plant or color that makes you feel winter has finally left?  Share your seasonal reactions in the comments box.

I was using this shovel to knock the heavy snow off the branches of trees and bushes so they wouldn’t break or be permanently bent to the ground.  I took aim at the higher branches and let loose.  Moved on to plan B.

  

 

  

Warmth - haiku from Ashland, Ohio

Sun shines down on all;
Rays embrace each small creature –
Love sizzles and burns.


The Blogathon challenge for today was to write a haiku.  My small offering came from the hot colors in the stained class on the chapel of the Brethren Church, with which Ashland University is affiliated.

In a day or two I’ll give you a good list of books I bet you haven’t read, but let’s talk reading today, too.  Do you write or do you read poetry?  Who’s your favorite poet?  If you’re not a poetry person, what’s your favorite kind of writing to read when you want to connect with the world around you or escape it? Please share in the comments box.