Ellen in Spring
Where scarlet beetles tumble on the green
she squats to marvel at the small bird’s eye,
bright blue among white stars and celandine –
until she spots a yellow butterfly.
I catch the bolting toddler by the waist –
her squeals make starling fly and blackbird sing.
Legs cycling in mid-air, with eager haste
my bright-eyed Ellen hurtles into spring.
Birdsong will dwindle for another year,
young sappy leaves will dry and fall one day,
proud lady’s smock and violet disappear,
harsh winter winds sweep golden skies away.
The joys of spring were always bitter-sweet.
But I’ll remember Ellen’s pumping feet.
Page(s) 24
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