Better late than never

There are streaks of open water along the Sunrise River in Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area. A few ducks and geese have arrived to take advantage of the situation. Spring, at least locally, is beginning to settle in. Even the ice covering our driveway has turned slushy.

A bit ago I was surprised to see that the forecast is expecting 70℉ within the week. Nevertheless, we’ve lived in the North Country long enough that we try to always remember the words of the inimitable Yogi Berra: “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” always apply to our winters.

early April, red-winged blackbird

Photo by J. Harrington

We still haven’t seen any red-winged blackbirds, but I’m betting we will within the next week or so. There’s so much to anticipate and then enjoy as migrants return, flowers emerge, and crops (in greenhouses) are grown. We’re about three weeks from picking up our first Community Supported Agriculture [CSA] share of the year. Real fresh vegetables taste different [better] than the supermarket variety. Slowly, winter’s oppressive presence will be forgotten, until next January or February. “And the painted ponies go up and down...”

The Season's Campaign

By Joyce Sidman

I.  Spring

 

We burst forth,

crisp green squads

bristling with spears.

We encircle the pond.

 

II.  Summer

  Brown velvet plumes

bob jauntily. On command,

our slim, waving arrows

rush toward the sun.

 

III.  Fall

 

All red-winged generals

desert us.  Courage

clumps and fluffs

like bursting pillows.

 

IV. Winter

 

Our feet are full of ice.

Brown bones rattle in the wind.

Sleeping, we dream of

seed-scouts, sent on ahead.

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