Lightly on my feet, I walk back from class

careful not to slide on the ice mother nature

so precisely mixed together when she warmed

the air early this morning. The bright sun beats down

on the roof tops, melting away the heavy snow almost

instantly. Drip, drip, drip goes the snow into water, crashing

into the ground. One by one, windows crack open, some jammed

at first, then swiftly comes in the early but fresh spring air.

Softly, a mourning dove perches on a telephone wire above.

I look up, stopping my pace just long enough for several breaths

to take in the graceful tune of this peaceful bird in nature.

It’s small head leans down as it may or may not be staring at me,

but still, it balances on that wire. And I continue on, staying

on the trail that was made by so many other footsteps, including mine.

Drip, drip, drip. The ice melts away and the snow inches closer and closer

to the edge of the roof. Soon the Robins will fly back, just in time to see

our colorful Easter eggs delicately decorated in pastels of purple, pink,

and baby blue. A fresh start. A new beginning.

A rebirth of our earth. Spring! It is a beautiful thing.