the first signs of the new canopy
gently green
signaling the abundance of food
for birds
blackflies
the next stage of green
the swarm descends fulfilling its purpose
instilling gratitude for the cold winter
notable for its absence of blackflies
small puddles
accumulations of water
sprouting herbs
chives and lovage
already flavouring my kitchen soup
spring twists in the treetops
like stretched taffy
snagged here and there
on the once bare brushes of maple trees
tufts of green
stick to the ends of supple twigs
caught and growing
another rainy day