Spring's Reception Line

Spring's Reception Line

Cheerful, welcoming daffodils 

edge the sidewalk,

(forming spring's reception line).

They bob their heads

in greeting, saying, 

"How do you do?"

I answer back, 

"Spring is here! Life is fine!"

Pink Trees

Pink Trees

Spring trees bloom in shades of pink

that bring to mind bits of my childhood:

Pinks like the pearly inside of a conch shell

that we held to our ears at the beach;

like candy valentine hearts 
that say, "KISS ME" and "BE MINE";

like exotic flamingos at the zoo;

like Pink Panther cartoons;
like rose-shaped soaps 
in the guest bathroom at grandma's house;

like the soothing coolness of calamine lotion;
like Canada wintergreen mints;
like fluffy, fragrant powder puffs;

like sweet cotton candy from the circus;

like the tiny triangle of a kitten's nose;

like a box of Mr. Bubble bubble bath;

like nail polish that my fourth grade teacher wore;

like pigs scrubbed clean for the county fair.

It's no wonder these trees bring me such joy.

They reappear every spring and give me back my youth.

I took these pictures several years ago at the park near where I lived at the time. It's too soon for the pink trees to be blooming here yet, but it won't be much longer. I can't wait.