Poetry Friday: I Still Am In Sore Doubt Concerning Spring

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March 20, 2009

8:00 am

13 Comments on Poetry Friday: I Still Am In Sore Doubt Concerning Spring

Poetry Friday

For some of us, it’s pretty hard to believe in the whole Spring Thing just now — at least it hasn’t snowed here in… what, two weeks now? And it hasn’t rained in two whole days. The sky is a bit of blue, behind the gauzy veil of high clouds and fog… it might be coming, but…

I’ve believed before, I have. And have been shocked by cold fronts that knocked the blossoms of the trees. And speaking of blossoms, where are they? Where are even the leaves!? I swear, fruit trees don’t bloom in this place until the end of May. It’s enough to drive a California girl crazy. Berrying season seems to be in September. What, then, is the point of spring at all?

A high of 56°F makes me ridiculously happy. I can hear birds. And eventually… at some point… more than just the hardiest of crocuses (crocusi?) and daffodils will burst forth. When the city is in bloom, it really tries hard to make up for the months and months of gray, mucky, ugly, yuck.

I’m in some doubt about when it’s coming, but… I’m willing to believe.

“The First Spring Day,” by Christina Rossetti.

I wonder if the sap is stirring yet,

If wintry birds are dreaming of a mate,

If frozen snowdrops feel as yet the sun

And crocus fires are kindling one by one:

Sing, robin, sing;

I still am sore in doubt concerning Spring.

I wonder if the springtide of this year

Will bring another Spring both lost and dear;

If heart and spirit will find out their Spring,

Or if the world alone will bud and sing:

Sing, hope, to me;

Sweet notes, my hope, soft notes for memory.

The sap will surely quicken soon or late,

The tardiest bird will twitter to a mate;

So Spring must dawn again with warmth and bloom,

Or in this world, or in the world to come:

Sing, voice of Spring,

Till I too blossom and rejoice and sing.

Many poems are turned into classical songs. I’m kind of hoping this is one — I can imagine a gorgeous arrangement. The poetry Friday round-up is over at Elaine’s, at Wild Rose Reader. Enjoy this doubtful Spring day, wherever you are…

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13 Replies to “Poetry Friday: I Still Am In Sore Doubt Concerning Spring”

  1. I know just how you feel from my years in Ireland. So much chilly grey that I started to have dreams where the main feature was sunlight. I think if you’re moving to Scotland or Ireland they should probably hand you a complimentary light therapy lamp when you get off the plane!

    It’s actually -6 in Toronto this morning (brrrr) although…(and maybe I shouldn’t say this) it is really sunny.

    Here’s wishing you a proper dose of spring soon!

  2. What a perfect poem for today!
    We woke up to 24 degrees today, but I have seen a robin hopping in our yard. Spring weather will be here soon! (I hope!)

  4. This isn’t the neighborhood today — but it’s a few blocks away, caught in a moment of sun between showers and fog. Isn’t it lovely? The bike makes it look like summer might come someday, too.

  5. “If heart and spirit will find out their Spring,

    Or if the world alone will bud and sing:

    Sing, hope, to me;

    Sweet notes, my hope, soft notes for memory.”

    Ah, just the balm I needed. We have had some sun and one or two teasing days of warm, but March is a cruel month for sure. Those daffodils are so lovely. Is that your neighborhood today?

  8. Sing,Robin,sing;
    Sing, hope, to me;
    Sing, voice of spring.
    Though I’m longing with your same longing for the caress of a cool breeze upon my cheek, this poem put a light step in my heart. Lovely.

  11. “Sing, hope, to me.” Such an elemental, earnest statement.

    We’re PUH-sychic today. I’ve posted about Spring, too, and that brave robin.

    I hope you get that 56 degrees Fahrenheit you long for.

    (Grammar/Language Nerd here, who had to RE-read your post, since the first time through, I just kept thinking, “yeah, IS it “crocusi”?)

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