Spring's Cohorts

The snowdrops steal in first,
Quiet, unobtrusive, pale and frail,
They infiltrate unnoticed,
But suddenly, they’re there.
Silent, drooping, humble, shy,
But undeniably There.

Winter blusters on, unready for defeat:
Wind, snow, floods, ice,
Sharp skirmishes of frost,
But all to no avail;
The die is cast
And Spring will not be cowed.

Today, the crocuses turned up.
Brave in yellow, royal in purple,
Fearless in their livery,
Their bright platoons defy drab Winter’s hordes.
They will not yield,
They will not be denied.

Grim Pluto’s game is up;
The daffodils are massing in the field,
The black branches loading their buds
For a final push of foliage.
A triumphal volley of birdsong,
And Victory is ours - Spring is here!