,
In April the hillside spring is still covered with last autumn’s leaf fall
And marked only where the brown forest blanket is blackened
With the soak and seep.
.
Who would brush away this covering
And kneel and take double handfuls for drink
And feel enlivened by the cool, new tingle?
.
There are yet cold days ahead, even in April
Then the spring’s water will not refresh
But only chill the raw skin.
copyright 2016