There I sat, cursor blinking, wondering what on earth I have to write about today, struggling to shut out distraction. I close extra tabs on my browser, shut my bedroom door, and pray for inspiration. But wait! My inbox tab shows I have a new message. Better click it. (See? I TOLD you I’m prone to distraction.)
It’s my weekly update from poet James A. Pearson (go follow him!). I’m a fan of his work, and his words today couldn’t have come at a better time:
What Spring Does
Some winters
are so long
you can forget
what spring does
until it does it.
–From my book, The Wilderness That Bears Your Name
And it hit me – oh! – the monthly Slice of Life Challenge. It’s another sign of spring! In that spirit, I offer a poem.
What Slice of Life Does
(after James A. Pearson)
Over the years, my sons and I
(anxious for an end
to winter)
begin our search
for Signs Of Spring:
tiny green shoots
that certain bird’s call
buds at ends of branches
and we’d find them on walks
or I’d be brought them
in fists or pockets or bunches
or (lately) photos on a phone
and it had me thinking
to the start of March,
the yearly challenge to mark
days upon days upon days:
Behold! a new
sign of spring!
a renewal of vows
to my love for writing
and those who write,
a commitment made
kept
honored
cherished
like blossoms in a bowl
gathered in joy
and displayed
for all to see.
Soapbox: The Way I see Things 
Lainie, this is lovely! I appreciated the opening just as much as your poem.
Thanks for that and for the connection to James; already subscribed. I need more poetry in my life.
Thanks, Ana! I think we ALL could use more poetry in our lives…
Yes, this challenge is a sign of spring and one that blossoms each day of the month.
Absolutely! I don’t know why I never thought of things this way before, to tell you the truth.
Gorgeous!
Poetry is a blessing and brings joy!
The connection of the ‘ tiny green shoots” and ‘ the renewal of vows for love of writing’ … I finally love writing. It’s not always easy!
Write on!
Thanks, Fran. I was really pleased with the way the “vows” stanza came out. It never ceases to amaze me how I can set down to write poetry, and goes an entirely different direction from the way I anticipated.
Write on, indeed!
Winter aconite! (I looked this up). Buttercups! Thank you for this joyful shot of bright yellow flowers growing out of brown mulch. What a lovely way to start Sunday morning with signs of hope! And practices of hope! (This Slice of Life writing challenge). Thank you for introducing me to a new poet. My days are made better with poets. Finally: that last photo: so sweet. Like a spring party! Blossoms and colored tissue.
Stephanie, I will use ALL the signs of hope my little heart can handle. And I’m glad I introduced you to James A. Pearson. His Sunday emails are a ray of sunshine in my day.
As for the last photo, I still remember when my younger son brought it to me one spring day. Maybe he’s given me a few gray hairs (!), but he’s also an incredibly thoughtful human.
Love the juxtaposition of his poem and then the inspiration for yours. YES! This does feel like a sign of SPRING – newness, renewal of writing patterns reconnection with old writing friends.
Thank you! I really was at a loss until I saw his words. You’re also right about the friendships. Each March I quite enjoy “being with” a writing community I’ve grown to love, and making new connections to some REALLY cool people.
Thank you for the reassurance that spring is definitely awakening and will be here in the weeks to come. I’m on the lookout – just like you!
Wonderful! There’s strength in numbers. =)
I just love the idea of the slice of life challenge as our sign of spring! It certainly helps me get through a month I usually find long and not quite full enough of signs of spring!
As someone who lives in the Chicago area, I know all too well that signs of spring are FEW and far between at this time of year. I still remember buying hand warmers by the case for when my older son had baseball by mid-March. WOOF.
Such imagery that captures so many reasons why we come back to write. I really like how you compared it to “a renewal of vows”. Wishing you the joy and rejuvenation that this month can bring!
Thanks. To you, too! I have to remember – even in the challenging what-am-I-ever-going-to-write-and-why-did-I-ever-agree-to-this-again-anyway moments – that there is joy and rejuvenation to be had. Happy writing!
“a renewal of vowsto my love for writingand those who write,a commitment made”Hi Lanie! Yes, I’m still here. And yes, SOLC is a wonderful marker that Spring is soon. Thank you. I needed that reminder – March snuck up on me, but I’m trying.
Raivenne! It’s good to “see” you again. I’m immensely glad you’re here. Your work inspires me to do better. =)
March snuck up on me as well, and I felt it in those few moments of panic before I began writing. I guess all we CAN do is try.
This is a lovely way to usher in this month of writing – which has for so many of us become such a sign of spring!!
Thanks, Ona! I still wonder at how Writing does what she does: leaving me to panic that I don’t have anything to say, then easing in to let me know everything is fine. Because it always is…
“Sign, sign
Everywhere a sign
Blockin’ out the scenery
Breakin’ my mind
Do this, don’t do that
Can’t you read the sign?”
Your slice awoke in me these lyrics from the Five Man Electrical Band….the signs of spring…everywhere a sign! What should we do? We should write, of course! Thanks for the poetic reminder that the signs “to write” are everywhere!
I love that my Slice made me think about that song. Now it’s in my brain too!
Such a great poem and I loved the inspiration you based it on. Will definitely give him a follow. I so miss signs of spring, but I can picture them from many decades ago when I was living in England. It’s the only English season I miss!