In Summation

Despite the cold and the snow flurries
persisting in the atmosphere we know
that calendar spring has arrived and
await reassurance that the biosphere
of our local geography has lapsed
from winter to spring so we intensify
the search for signals of that arrival
and are rewarded by the first signs of
the forest floor thawing and thrusting
wild strawberries appear. Overhead a
wild cacophony of geese as their
formation glides over the forest canopy.
In the snowmelt-swollen creek of the
ravine two drakes battle for the affection
of a Mallard duck. In the underbrush
snakes seeking sun writhe in an ecstasy
of copulation, oblivious of our presence.
Seen are the squirrels bolting here and
there, and under a copse of spruce their
cones arrayed neatly revealed by the
receded snowpack. Raccoons are unseen
other than their presence on our porch
daintily gathering nuts, seeds and kibble.
All this in a week of daily forays into
the forest observing and today's sun
brought out the final reassurance with
the appearance of a Mourning Cloak
the longed-for rites of spring at last.