THAW
Before I finish my coffee.
And get dressed, I look out
The second-floor window
Of the house I visit,
And watch birds pecking the
Muddy, unfrozen ground,
Among the pussywillows,
Daffodils and buck scat.
Yesterday, I moved the feeders
To prevent the squirrels
From eating all the nuts.
Now, the birds are chattering
And hopping among the
Branches, urging me to
Fill the feeders and put
New suet cakes in their holders.
I want to stay in bed and
Listen to the sounds of water
Dripping off the icicles hanging from
Tree branches, but can’t;
More spring is coming.
—Erik La Prade
illustration by Happy Burbeck
