You Can't Hide Those Thawing Eyes

You Can’t Hide Those Thawing Eyes

Eventually, the snow thaws

            And the ice melts—

            Sometimes in spring,

Sometimes, the first time in

            Late February.

            Ice-glassy grass crunches underfoot.

And we shed our parkas

            And our duck boots,

            And our scarves,

And settle for light sweaters

            Over colored tees.

            Winter weights yield to springing steps.

Less burdened, now time to pause,

            Lingering longer

            Over brave blossoms,

More aware of small signs of

            Rebirth’s rebirth:

           

            Bats crack, sleds brake to balls bouncing:

            The peat again,

            Ripples on ponds,

            Pastels on lapels,

            Figures in clouds

                        That favor friends’ smiles.

            Green shoots on elms,

            And flaneurs,

            And bikers,

            And buggies,

                        Emergent in victory:

Parades on old routes re-uncovered.

            (With some extra beats this time through).

And eyes again, of passers by,

            Over still-pink noses,

            Catching ours—

            Confederates—

Sparkling on brisk breezes:

            Crisp in defiance.

           

Glances held scintillas longer.

And us again, alive and vibrant,

            Winking and blinking,

            Like treasures;

            Windows to hearts

Full of exuberant life:

            Cannily familiar:

           

Uncanny, unhidden, thawing eyes.

Read more of my poetry, essays, and stories at Momentitiousness.com