Purple Spring

A phoebe. Many fresh beaver chews along the wetland edge.

  Small groups of purple crocuses blooming among the wild meadow. Tulip leaves unfurling. Ruby red rhubarb sprouts emerging in the garden soil. Overwintered cilantro green and aromatic.

Raking the perennial beds free of last fall's thatch and layer of leaves,

revealing vole, mole, and chipmunk runs.

Wearing a short-sleeved shirt. Sixty degrees.

Signs of spring in our southeastern New Hampshire yard.

Tomorrow colder, cloudy,
nighttime temperature to go below 20 degrees.

This is March.