Helleborus orientalis
Spring is nothing if not coy
It teases in late February with a blue-sky day
Windless mornings birds sing
Then the weatherman –liar that he is,
Doesn’t lie when he reports “below normal”
And the snowstorm comes on Monday
Pussy willow buds push forth in defiance
Slowly slowly melting snow
Snowdrops bloom and Scilla come
Muddy walks on forest floors
Fits and starts tease winter weariness
Until Robins hop and Tulips sing
Dodecatheon meadia