Welcome, Long-awaited Spring*

“And Spring arose on the garden fair/ Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere/ And each flower and herb on Earth’s dark breast/ Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.” — The Sensitive Plant, Percy Bysshe Shelley

Finally, it’s here! After months of cold, dreary, snowy weather, it’s undeniably springtime.

Just look around you. Signs of spring are everywhere — in the shopping malls (spring fashion collections, with lots of yellow and blue), grocery stores and supermarkets.

Easter lilies, daffodils, dandelions, tulips, crocus, cherry blooms, cute little flowers in our lawn, birds flocking around in our backyard, hopping from fence to fence, pecking at something in the ground. The fields, mountains and hills are covered with grass and wildflowers, and the golden sun and clear azure skies are a beautiful sight to behold.

Nature is so beautiful, colorful and wonderful in the spring.

I love spring. I feel so invigorated when it’s spring. It’s about time to open up our windows and doors and smell the natural, fresh air outside. — so good and healthy, isn’t it?

We’re getting active again, now that the sun is shining brightly and inviting us out of our cubicles to see and smell, hear and touch and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Spring is the time to rise up, to stretch and spread that body that has been in a cocoon for months of cold, wet and snowy weather. With longer days, we can create something worthwhile, such as growing flowers and vegetables in our gardens or establishing relationships with neighbors.

With brief morning showers, then white clouds that gradually disappear, and the sun ready to rule the land, there’s no doubt in my mind that we have golden, productive days ahead.

There is spring cleaning to be done. We all have clutter scattered around the house. This is a good opportunity to get rid of some stuff and give it away or donate it to charity.

On the other hand, there’s this spring break for students and teachers who have been busy with school. I’m sure they can’t wait to spend some time off going somewhere. But I hope while they’re having a short break from school, they continue to engage in worthwhile learning activities and experiences.

Now, to welcome spring, I’d like to share with you, “The Cool Spring,” one of my short, simple poems that captures the season:

When the sun is up

And the sky is clear

There’s warmth all over

There is no more fear.

As the land turns green

And our vision’s keen

Everyone’s excited

Happy and committed

To get out and moving

To welcome the cool spring.

While the sea is inviting

To beach-lovers cavorting

We hear the sweet sounds of spring

Welcoming the renewal

The beauty and revival

Of good living and loving.

We see flowers blooming

Leaves of trees sprouting

Birds chirping and singing

Butterflies fluttering

While busy bees buzzing

Humming new life in spring!

As the comedian Robin Williams says, “Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’”

Have fun and enjoy spring with all her colorful offerings.

Chris A. Quilpa of North Suffolk is a retired U.S. Navy veteran. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.

  *Published in Suffolk News-Herald, Saturday, 29 March 2014. For more information, visit www.suffolknewsherald.com.