Just below the frozen surface
of winter’s austere, unyielding crust
is Spring concealed in its own cadence of gestation

Just below the hardened wintry surface
is Spring, unseen, in earth’s life-giving womb.

We might be tempted to give ourselves over
to bemoan the harshness of what we see
Let us, instead, await in yearning and anticipation
for that which is only temporarily hidden

While Spring gets ready…..
to burst forth all dewy
in a symphony of color, texture, scents and sounds.

Let us be Spring’s aunties’ expectant in wonder
and giddy with joy at its birth!

Mary McLaughlin has written essays and poetry for several years, and has published in, In Our Midst and The Emmaus Journey.  Her lifework includes working with persons with dementia and advocating with and for direct caregivers.  She lives with her husband in Clive, Iowa.