*

*

yellowing willow limbs waken

in the slanting February sun

first of the trees to rouse

with roots still buried in snow

*

while cardinals and juncos

forage for winter’s remnants

under scraggly pines as

jays shriek from higher branches

*

squirrels skitter across ice crust

recovering buried acorns or

padding their dreys with a

mouthful of dry leaves

*

the bitter cold retreats

all those living breathe relief

relax muscles in the feeble light

anticipate the surge of spring