The Forgiveness of Spring - Feb. 17, 2023

for all winter’s slaps

to faces and bites to skin

tree bending bird bullying

and beastly cold

for one heavy foot firm

on the neck of nature

and the other blocking

our coming and going

for all that

spring apologizes

with a warm smile

and holding a daffodil

for how else

will she get

those downcast eyes

to lift again?