Spring Sunshine
I position my chair in the sunlight streaming through the front window,
the rest of the house behind me
chill in its winter-to-spring transition.
The heat soaks into my grey fleece top
gradually seeping its welcome way through my skin,
into my bones and the center of my body.
Bushes bow slightly before the wind,
waiting to shed their winter bareness for the new growth of spring,
each bare, brown sword-branch tipped with green.
On the porch, a chipmunk overlooks the buttery daffodils and fragile narcissus
ever so slowly raising their rain-battered heads
from soaked obeisance into erect beauty.
Two goldfinches swoop down, perching in the largest bush,
tiny bird-lanterns heralding the start of another Saturday
as a cloud ship moves regally through the sky ocean.
Your poem really captures the lovely warmth of early spring. It sounds like you live in a wonderful environment. It must be great to see chipmunks for real – I only know them from the cartoons.
Thanks, Suzanne. We live in a suburb of Chicago so in a rather large metropolitan area, but one with lots of green spaces and parks. Chipmunks are very cute…unless they’re digging holes in your garden, eating flowers/veggies, etc. đ
janet
Lovely photo Janet, and beautifully evocative words to accompany it.
I wish it looked like that today. Today would have to inspire me to write about impending rain. đ
đĻ I know that feeling. I’ve just come back from glorious weather in Wellington to cold and rain here in the “winterless north”!
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Beautiful photo and poem. đ We had upper 80’s last week and this week we’re back in the 40-50 range.
We’re a bit the same, although it’s supposed to be in the 60’s today with more rain. Thankfully, I got all my flowers in yesterday (not all that many, but I had to reclaim the garden from scores of tenacious weeds and other plants), so I shouldn’t have to water them. Must look at the bright side! đ
janet
Yes, I transplanted some things yesterday in the doom and gloom and knew they’d get a good start. đ
Beautiful capture and very nice words to go along with it. Nicely done, Janet.
Thanks very much, Dan. Goldfinch can’t be captured with a phone camera. I had to take my Nikon with the telephoto to get this and other decent shots. But they’re worth the time it takes.
We’ve tried, many times. They are hard to photograph.
That they are! The telephoto, combined with walking slowly, standing still, and trying a number of times finally worked. đ
Love the poetry, love the photo!
Love the comment, Joanne. đ Thanks very much. I was just telling Dan that it takes a bit of work to get a good goldfinch shot, but it’s worth the effort. They’re such beauties when they’re yellow.
janet
There are a few things that always make my heart leap when I see them – a deer, a bunny, a hummingbird, and a goldfinch.
They are guaranteed to make my day đ
The park where I walk is the home of quite a few of these little beauties and they always gladden my heart, too.
Beautiful poem, and Goldfinch to go with them!
Thanks, Deborah. I do love goldfinches.
janet
you’ve caught the feeling with your poem. Now we must soak up that sun for hard to believe; in only 4 more weeks we will begin our journey away from it once again.
Wow, Holly, thanks for raining on my parade! đ I’m enjoying the long days, jut not all the rain we’ve been having and the clouds blocking that sun. Thanks for stopping and commenting as well.
janet
sorry for raining on your parade, Janet, i woke in a murky mood. Maybe when the sun comes out here i’ll rein-in more cheerfully!
Holly
Holly, I understand. We’ve had plenty gloom this spring and that can make it difficult to feel positive and cheerful. đ I hope you see that sunshine soon. In the meantime, feel free to look at that sunshine yellow goldfinch as much as need be!
A breath of Springtime! But a smile on my face. Thx.
My pleasure, JT. I’m happy you enjoyed both and a smile on the face is something I’m always glad to help with.
janet
A lovely duo that expresses spring’s fancy.
Glad you enjoyed them, Sally. I’m glad you enjoyed them. I hope you’re having some sunshine and not our rain.
janet
Beautiful poem and gorgeous photo.
Thanks, Christine!
janet
Such brilliant colours described in a brilliant fashion, Janet!
Thanks and I appreciate you taking the time to comment. These little guys are so cheerful looking.
Amazing shot! đ Such a pretty bird and pretty words!
Amazing telephoto. đ Thanks much, Joey. I was really happy about the shot. Glad you like both!
janet
There are no adequate words to respond to such beauty… You’ve painted a dreamscape with your prose, so clearly that I could close my eyes and imagine myself there. Amazing.
Thanks for the lovely compliment, Hannah. You put a smile on my face.
janet
“…raising their rain-battered heads, from soaked obeisance into erect beauty” How beautiful! Your poem is so evocative of the bright promise of spring.
Many thanks, Madhu. Right now, we’re still waiting for the bright part, because for the last days it’s been grey and rainy. On the plus side, I haven’t had to worry about watering the garden and when the sun does come back, it will be even more appreciated.
janet
love your “tiny bird lantern” expression – gold finches are such jewels. I always enjoy seeing them return in the spring.
Thanks for stopping by. Goldfinches realy are such jewels.
janet