Prepare for Spring

A Dream Come True:
Winter Jasmine on January 21st!

I have always said that I wanted Spring
to start right after Christmas. Why wait?
Here in Virginia, my wish has come true!

Prothalamium

Come, all you who are not satisfied
as ruler in a lone, wallpapered room
full of mute birds, and flowers that falsely bloom,
and closets choked with dreams that long ago died!

Come, let us sweep out the old streets – like a bride:
sweep out dead leaves with a relentless broom;
prepare for Spring, as though he were our groom
for whose light footstep eagerly we bide.

We’ll sweep out shadows, where the rats long fed;
sweep out our shame – and in its place we’ll make
a bower for love, a splendid marriage-bed
fragrant with flowers aquiver for the Spring.
And when he comes, our murdered dreams shall wake;
and when he comes, all the mute birds shall sing.

by Aaron Kramer (1921 – 1997)
American poet, translator, and social activist

on a good blog post

in Prodigal Summer

sung by Judy Collins
[another favorite on the same album: "Sons Of"]