Vernal Equinox

Vernal Equinox

The earth in its journey
tilts back and forth,
tipping its hat to the sun,

only twice on its path
standing straight in salute,
the time of equal night.

Autumn — harbinger of dark,
shortened days, a time of pulling in,
settling homeward, sleeping.

But Spring — Spring heralds
the coming of the light,
new hope and life renewed.

The festival of colors begins:
green shoots, purple crocus,
brilliant dance of daffodils,

dogwood buds bursting open,
leaving showers of petals
both pink and white on softened ground.

And in the rustic barn
with its sweet smell of hay,
sheep go about their lambing.

Olga Hebert
2017