RENEWAL

A new day dawns with heavy air
weighted by pollen and with dew
as rising sun begins to stare
at springs blooms opened everywhere
their pastels pleasing to his view

I breathe deeply then I sneeze
wryly smile at "silent" stalk
a nearby gobble makes me freeze
and quietly curse my allergies
then I resume my sylvan walk

Two weeks ago the world was bare
all was gray, pine green and dun
now leaves are sprouting everywhere
as doves and song birds start to pair
frosted mornings now are done

Springtime heat begins to rise
bringing sweat to pate and brow
I doff my hat, look to blue skies
filled with returning flocks' loud cries
and lowing from a distant cow

I jump a buck with antlers shed
in midst of briers now green and lush
perhaps he was there in his bed
asleep not long past having fed
he snorts and leaves in a great rush

As he leaves he waves his tail
then disappears in woods grown thick
but not before he flushes quail
which toward a year old clear cut sail
I turn and feel my old knee "click"

But I refuse to retreat yet
my walking staff now comes in play
although the dew's made my boots wet
and sun and pain have made me sweat
there's one more place I want to stray

So I slowly limp along
'till sounds of water fill my ear
a background to courting birds' song
I know that it will not be long
'cause wood duck whistles now are near

At last I spot that hidden stream
sparkling through old hard wood trees
it forms a flowing rippling seam
and a good place to sit and dream
while cooling off in shaded breeze

So I pause and sit while spring runs rife
and think of past promises made
of renewal, warmth even new life
of lasting love for my dear wife
mirrored by a freshly blooming glade