Coming Out To Play

Even as the Arctic snow was melting

To unveil its eager face,

The wide-eyed purple bluebell sprang

From its icy sheet into bloom.

The heliotropic poppy tracked the sun,

Returned at last to wake it

From a night of endless darkness

Under the black duvet of snow.

The snow-flowers in the sunlight,

Flushed and giddy in the biting wind,

Even as the snow was melting,

Forgot the interminable night.

G.R.