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