Tuesday 18 January 2011

A Redolent Air Comes Stealing.

You know that feeling, this time of year, when you step out into the still dark garden, into the early morning, after the frost has gone, and the air tingles with tentative birdsong, and you pause and look to one another, searching in the deep blue shadows for the others surprise.

The air is warm! And you both smile and move off the step and into the day.


And all day your eyes are on the skies, your ears are pricked, your nose may even twitch, your bones just know.
Spring is somewhere, hidden still, shy and not quite ready, but heralded by every feathered harbinger that cannot keep their tongue, by the teasing air that startles your skin, sets it aquiver, by the sun that seems caught in the trembling reeds, caught in the evening that stays a little longer.


And even though you know the cold is not done with us, and the frost may well be there tomorrow, still, you have Sense-ed the Spring.

And she is not so far away.

11 comments:

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

She is still fast asleep here, I'm afraid. Snuggled down under the melting snow.

Susan said...

Ciara...I LOVE that photo with the plants against the blue skies. Absolutely stunnin, Ciara. Susan

Tracey said...

You capture it perfectly. Where I live, winter is short and shallow. But, there is a morning every August, not quite as scorching as the one before. A taste of the cool fall.

Gigi Thibodeau said...

This post was just what I needed tonight with the snow and sleet pelting down outside my window. Spring is more than two months away here, and there won't even be any hints of it for another month at least. Sigh. Such beauty in this post, Ciara. What a gift. xo

Martin said...

Exquisitely written, as ever, Ciara. ".. every feathered harbinger that cannot keep their tongue.." is just magical.

Laura said...

here we are in the depths of winter, yet buds are hard lumps on branches, so I know you speak the truth:)

Stephanie V said...

Not even the hint of spring song yet but we have wee buds on the trees. It's true - spring is on its way. Lovely photos...thank you.

denise said...

Oh, such beautiful sentiments. It is just now heading into the coldest part of winter for us here. All buried under snow, windchill warnings, skin freezes in minutes. But in another few months we will start to dream!

Lovely photos.

Mel said...

Ah, I'm jealous! We did have our share of a springy and inspiring "thaw" here, as well. But no trace of it now! Isn't January just the thing for these brief interruptions in winter? Such hope may just see us through til the real spring arrives!
Enjoy it!

nancy said...

Imbolc draws near, darlin! I've been missing you and hope all is well. I will send you an e- to catch you up. Happy, happy 2011! What a beautiful post. It's full of the hope and promise I am craving right now...

Betsy said...

I so enjoy reading your posts and gazing at your lovely photos of life. Thank you!
If you would like it, I've given you the "Stylish Blogger Award", which you can post, or you can ignore it. Don't want to be a bother--but I do want you to know that you are appreciated.
www.writebrainmommy.blogspot.com