The spring delayed,
Arriving
day
by
day,
Inconstant, teasing
With a hint of warm,
Then yielding
To the wolf winds.
The final battle raged
A full two days
Beyond the clouds:
A brilliant sun,
Deep blue,
black
chasing
light,
And snow hail harvest.
The whole night long
The hungry winter won
As softest powder
Floated
through
the
air.
And only
Unsuspecting birdsong broke
The silent vow of winter snow
To speak of spring.