April snow

 

Setback                   

I’d seen a goldfinch, days were getting mild,

the crocuses were up, and I could hear

the wild geese honking on the pond. Beguiled,

I’d set the garden chairs in place, in sheer

delight. The northern winter-spring transition

is never easy, but I’d hoped this year –

Alicia’s cancer gone into remission –

that April would be kind. Then we had snow

this afternoon, a boreal admonition:

Not so fast. Not so

fast.

                Oh, to be the quiet sort

who bow their heads, accept the status quo,

conceding there’s a God, and we’re his sport,

that winter is so long, and life so short!

© Catherine Chandler 
(first published in 14 by 14, Issue 4, June 2008)