This is Spring, I Promise

Take a deep breath.

Now.

Do not let the cold air 

fool you, tease you, 

giggle behind your back,

as it tries to trick you

into thinking winter is still here. 

Take that deep breath

through the nose

and hold it there

and let memory sweep

0ver you. 

Remember that smell?

The smell of spring?

Of open windows

and freshly washed sheets,

billowing on the line. 

Remember?

Remember how with the windows

open, the house seemed to settle

and sigh and stretch,

its wood floors creaking

like an old woman’s knees

after she’s spent all of Lent

at church kneeling and praying? 

Remember spring?

Remember how even on windy days,

there were spells of silence

and stillness when everything stopped

and robins and cardinals peppered

the still barren trees with red breasts,

and all singing stopped,

and every bird seemed asleep with eyes

wide open—for a moment, until the wind

picked up again? 

So stop.

Take a breath.

Close your eyes.

It may be cold,

but this is spring.

Remember?