POEM AND PHOTO BY ED NORTHEN
Winter has fled for the poles
taking with it, it’s white garment
releasing the earth
from an enchantment of sleep
the trees are waking up
forming minute buds
the cottonwoods are first
their young leaves
resembling little squirrel’s ears
the wispy limbed willows follow
synchronizing with the aspens
which send out tendril shoots
in proliferation
my soul flourishes
in concert with the earth
an exuberant joy emerges
like daffodils rising
bringing hope
and the promise of another season