on an early afternoon walk
the small dog and I
took off down the water road
to see if we could spy Spring

sun slanted through bare limbs of hickory
and oak
stretching into afternoon shadows, bruised
across the rocky path
and into the dried husk of meadow

we stretched to examine spare rods
of yearling saplings
for a hint of swollen bud or
risen sap of new life

while the small dog wiled his way
through undergrowth gone withered and lank
I scanned the waters edge for
turtles or mud puppies, minnows
or tadpoles

no signs were found, winter still held sway
on this sunny day
until on our own garden path, we stood
in the color of spring skies-
tiny bluets blooming in a field of green