First Signs of Spring

 

It had been a long dreary winter, grey, dull and uneventful as the normal hunkering down of the cold winter months brought most outdoor activities to a halt. This year of course proved to be much quieter; the Pandemic had exponentially increased the lack of activity during the normally dormant season. Usually, humans would be running around town in New York City even at this cold, bone chilling time of year suppressing their normal mammalian instinct to curl up in a ball, insulated in their dens, hibernating with a warm soft wool blanket tucked under their chin and a piping hot beverage to quell their impatient desire for spring. It was a comfortable way to ride out the winter. In the annual frenzy, citizens would forego comfortable accommodations, courageously forging ahead and, preparing for each of the holidays, meanwhile hurrying the season along, wrapped up in their traditions. A dash of cinnamon in one’s coffee, or a wreath on the front door brightened the season, helping to pull Old Man Winter along by the scruff of his neck, depositing him on spring’s doorstep by sheer willpower. People darted in and out of stores carrying an assortment of bags filled with packages for loved ones, fighting their way onto subway cars and compressing their bundles as much as possible to avoid conflict with their fellow New Yorkers, intermittently darting to and fro, capturing warmth where it could be found, even standing over subway vents radiating heat as they waited for buses. Rolls of wrapping paper were difficult to hold, like unwieldy ski poles, no matter how they were secured, breaking free to stick the purchaser in the ribs or poke an eye out were struggled with. A doll for Betty Sue, a heavy fruit cake for Uncle Joe, snowsuits for the twins, spices, cards, stamps, a dizzying array of necessary items were assembled to pull a holiday season together, all of these listed items swirling around in one’s head. It was exhausting even to think about, but this year was different, somber, reserved and quiet, lacking a festive spirit. Now the old bearded codger had been brought down to his knees, a shadow of his former self, hardly able to muster flurries let alone one of his malevolent, vindictive ice storms. He had run his course, he was done, finished, ready to retire. Chloris greeted Old Man Winter helping him up and kindly bringing him to a bench to rest. “Good Day Winter, rest here a while, you look tired.” The old man smiled at her appreciatively. He would soon fade away into the disappearing grey clouds until next year.

 

As I observed this meeting from my window, it was obvious that the transition had begun as Chloris the Spring Nymph, draped in her light flowing pastel covered gown and long hair braided with wild flowers, danced lightly down the street and as she moved along, the grey grass began to turn green below her ballet slippered feet. Not unlike Dorothy on her arrival in Oz, the world was altered, imperceptibly at first, transitioning to Technicolor. You could taste and smell the renewal of the earth. No army of designers or florists at the Macy’s Spring Flower Show could compete with the floral mastery of this Nymph, decorating the world for the Vernal Equinox. The world was a black and white newspaper with the page suddenly turned to the brightly colored photo section. Yellow and purple crocuses gingerly stuck their buds out to peruse the landscape to see if winter was gone, and it was safe to rise. Small buds began to appear on the trees that would soon explode in beautiful colored flowers, flirting and beckoning bees and hummingbirds to stop by for a snack. Buds were stirring as shoots prepared to launch from the ground. Turtle doves and squirrels discussed how to decorate their nests, like humans picking out curtains. The smell of fresh vegetation permeated the air. I reached out the window to touch an infant tree leaf smooth on its face and rough on its jagged edges, supple, moist and fresh to the touch. I made a mental note to wash the window, thereby washing away another winter. Spring was awakening and it would be a well-remembered and appreciated season.

 

Jim

March 2021