The smell of wet earth
And the shrinking snow patches
Call me to walk out
The birds have come back
Fat, and ready to drop eggs
Alive with their song
After this slumber
The layers are peeled away
Revealing newness
My fast has begun
A transformation will dawn
After emptiness
A basket of greens
And a clay pot of shamrocks
Reach for the strong sun
Jennifer Kavanagh, Baraboo