that dilatory damsel
brushed by my door today
trilled softly, swished the sky
caressed blossom, bee, and breeze
fluttered gamboge garments
bloomed a rich and verdant blush
stroked the sun and murmured meek
of strength and hope and promise.
Winter
snarled stubbornly
refused his curtain call
shook hoary head
hurled spears of gray
then gripped the hapless emigre
in jaws of chill and frost
sank deep his sullen, grizzled claws
squalled the shy sprite numb
then snapped and gulped, voracious
Spring, like hope, devoured.