Spring in Colorado

even before solstice,
    the sun warmed the air, and
    warmed the ground
    encouraging hyacinths,
        daffodils, and cyclists
    out of winter's lethargy

despite the calendar
    despite the early, though
    undeniable
    need to store the skis,
        lonely in a garage corner
    despite the narcissus' arrival

I could not let go of winter.
    budding trees, longer days ~ nothing
    wrestled winter away until
    last night, spring (for me) arrived
        with the smell of rain; and let go
    overnight, turning again to snow

It Felt Like the First Day of Spring

I saw a monk on rollerskates today

he was weaving between runners

and cyclists, his habit flapping in the

speed-created breeze.

                                     We weren't

alone out there, the monk and I ~

sixty-degree days at the end of

winter drag people out with the

promise of tomorrow's water-

cooler story.

                      Sixty degrees won't

last, though. Winter hasn't let go

quite yet. The monk and I were

lured out today, to skates and bike

enjoying the warm respite. I have

gloves and a jacket; I wonder if the

monk has ice skates.