SAP RISING

How sweet the coming is of March

with the first glimmerings of spring,

the warming in the sunshine,

season of the sap rising,

the tapping of the maple trees,

the acer saccharum,

that only a few months ago

were glorified by autumn.

Crowned in gem colored splendor,

Carnelian, ruby gold,

I’m awed by such beauty…

then the season turned cold

and gray, wind stole their crowns,

which was not surprising;

and we wait and dream of spring again,

the season of sap rising.

Winter comes as winter does

with winds that howl and blow.

Clouds gather and the sky turns gray

and buries us in snow.

Now maples are crystal crowned

by winter’s frigid blast

but soon comes March and winter fades

as spring seeps in at last.

With the rising of the life blood

of all Earth’s vegetation,

March arrives and ushers in

the first spring celebration.