Childhood's Spring

Linda Barrett

She reaches out,
her sapling skinny arms
rising up from underneath
the still thawing earth’s
winter white swaddling clothes.
Birds sing their intricate tunes
celebrating her birth announcement
Insects buzz around
accompanying them
to herald the new season
of pollen gathering
Melting ice and snow
reveal her muddy play clothes
with flowers just budding
through their surface.
Her crocuses erupt in yellow and purple
unfolding petal by petal
like a child’s hand
opening to reveal
a precious special present
for all the world to see.