Every morning

The sun slips in

A little earlier

Across my skin

Curtains glowing

Dust in slow parade

I lie listening

To the light being made

Spring is incipient in me

Like a word on the tip of my tongue

Like a doorway I’ve never walked through

That I’ve dreamed of since I was young

I don’t bloom all at once

I unfold quietly

But my heart keeps repeating

Spring is incipient in me

Trees are dressing up

In tender

Newborn green

Tiny hands of leaves

Where the bare bones used to be

Flowers hold out cups

Brimmed with colored tea

Bees write little poems

Where the petals meet the breeze

Spring is incipient in me

Like a word on the tip of my tongue

Like a doorway I’ve never walked through

That I’ve dreamed of since I was young

I don’t bloom all at once

I unfold quietly

But my heart keeps repeating

Spring is incipient in me (in me)

I have carried so much winter

Heavy coat

Heavy keys

Now I’m stepping to the threshold

Hands shaking

Finally free

If the thaw feels slow

That’s just how rivers breathe

Every drop a promise

Running out of me

Spring is incipient in me

Like a word on the tip of my tongue

Like a letter I kept in my pocket

I’m unfolding it line by line

Love

I don’t bloom all at once

I unfold quietly

But I’m done with pretending

I’m still asleep

My heart keeps repeating

Spring is incipient in me (oh, in me)