Because It Is Spring

Because it is spring,
after fourteen months
of winter,
hope arrived
along with
two Canada geese
skidding into
Reflection Lake.

Because it is spring again,
and a junco
scampered in the yard,
it is possible to
believe in green
replacing black snow.

Because it is spring now,
perhaps the sweetest ever-
daylight is on steroids
and a Sandhill crane
winged a welcome
across the sky.

A.H.

Abandoned

Those vehicles,
covered in snow,
abandoned in parking lots-
what stories
do they hold?
Is there
a parking lot
for abandoned lives?
"It just wouldn't start."
"It was running poorly."
"I didn't like the way it sounded."
"I was tired of it."
"It wore out."
"It broke down so often."
I couldn't find a good mechanic
for my broken down, little life
so I parked it here.
Will come back
when I have more-
time, money, energy,
ideas, inspiration.
Until then
it will be alone
on this acre of asphalt
surrounded by
melting snow.

A.H.

A Series of Small Satisfactions*

May your day hold
a series of small satisfactions,
little yippees scattered
about the hours.
Enough of
the dullness triplets-
blunt, bland and blah.
Sprinkle bits of sparkle,
give it up for
glint and glimmer.
Is that a baby-delight
bursting onto the scene?
Say farewell to
fickle and foul,
guilt be gone.
Bid welcome to
zip, zing and zest
as seasonings splashed
onto this day
as you savor
a series of small satisfactions.

* Phrase stolen from "The Daughter of Time" by Josephine Tey.
"...perhaps a series of small satisfactions scattered like sequins over the texture of everyday life..."

A.H.