PROSE POEM

Second Chances

A Poem of Spring’s Renewal

icicles melting dripping down from eaves puddles glinting in warm sunlight smell of damp earth after rain sprouts pushing up through soil buds on bare branches slowly unfurling green again songbirds twittering mating calls frogs croaking by the pond bees humming air is soft and cool against skin winter coats shed jackets unzipped showing lighter layers people smile more saying hello noticing each other for the first time since snow first fell walking slower heads tilted skyward faces feeling rays that warm and energize and wake dormant pieces of the soul footsteps outside more laughter of children filling the air kites flying bikes ridden neighbors visiting tulips crocuses daffodils adding splashes of color ice cream cones dripping down fingers the city throbs with renewed energy possibilities hope a quickening an awakening from winter’s slumber but also melancholic reminders of time passed opportunities missed people gone seasons of our lives we’ll never get back so we hurry on ready for what’s next distracted overwhelmed caught in eddies of work and screens that isolate though surrounded by signs of rebirth we’ve unlearned how to notice immersed in technology’s false connection not feeling the sun and wind the way our ancestors did not watching for shades of green not listening to birdsong or children’s laughter not slowing down to appreciate the extraordinary in ordinary moments of spring’s daily miracles that bring us back to life again so easily taken for granted because they happen every year expected mundane not warranting our wonder or gratitude spring after spring we forget what a gift it is to be here.

Author’s Note:

I wrote this piece as a reminder to myself to slow down and notice the small miracles that spring brings. It’s easy to take for granted the gifts all around us — melting ice, returning birdsong, laughing children — blindly rushing through days. I want to recapture that childlike wonder, and truly feel in my soul spring’s awakening. This season gives us back life and hope, if we pay attention.

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