Essential Rites of Spring

Serenely possessed, the woods
are now, frenzy of early spring
concluded.  Under a cerulean sky
gentle breezes riffle the bright green
canopy.  Birds that whirled the
atmosphere with their punctual
arrival, now nesting.  The spring
flowering succession is well 
underway.  Hawthorne blooms, 
Serviceberry and honeysuckle
have faded with the entrance
of cherry and dogwood.  Gone 
the woodland and dogtooth violets,
the trilliums and foamflower,
replaced by Jack-in-the-Pulpit,
blue-eyed grass, buttercups, phlox
and columbine.  Butterflies, 
beetles, bees and dragonflies
leave their courtesy signatures
on this day's bright essence.