Hungry Gap

Rivers rising once again
fields, swamps and yellow grass,
the ground  chill, roots barely live
sunny days just now and then
not enough to stir the worm or
feed the birds and excite the corn.
Weeks  more 'til  south west winds
cloudless skies and golden sun
when blackthorns bloom again,
Sticky buds and willow.
Simnel cake and daffodil
Mothers Day and Church,to
tide us over until Easter;
Chocolate eggs and chickens
first sight of the sea.