The smell of fresh rain brings 
the promise of warm weather 
on the way  

The fragrance lingers and plays 
with my nostrils and skin

Without delay, the blackbirds returned.
Their sparkle of turquoise and purple 
peeked out from their dark feathers

At first a small flock appeared 
of juniors and their parents  

they toss and search under the brown leaves 
leftover from autumn to find a tasty treat 
hidden behind each leaf

More starlings arrive.
They are slender with less winter fluff 
than the hardy, native birds  

the birdfeeder welcomes one and all

Hark! Spring is here!
Let’s shake our coattails 
and revel in the promise of spring to come

And come soon! 
I am weary of this long, grey 
winter and its biting chill

“Arrivederci!” as the Italian say