“delicate decision”
(https://leafandtwig.org/2024/04/14/delicate-decisions/)

to decide between
winter or spring
and
it must be spring
but what if
the decision goes the other way
what if
spring’s not ready
and winter coldness
might feel grand
a little longer
given quarters of the Earth
already turned
and hot
or maybe to rest a while longer
in the freeze
in caves
in trees
and beneath the ground
letting seeds build up
their inner strength
to shoot
and rise
through the crusts of soil
to find in time
the nurture
of the sky
so let the new
be moved on a little
maybe a month or so
a scandal to our calendars
though the big negotiations
shall go
between
the tilt of Earth
and the truculence
of nature here
that wants to wait
a while

c l couch


this verse, undulating for good or ill in form and content, is inspired by the post on 14 April 2024 of the excellent blog by Catherine Arcolio—“Leaf and Twig” that presents evocative photographs and text, both as expressions and comments about nature (thank you, Catherine)

photo by Jodie Righos on Unsplash