Spring Fever

Spring Fever

How I long to run barefoot
In the green green grass,
Sprinting with all my strength
To release the last constraints
Of a long, cold, barren winter.

Oh, I long for days in the sun
When its warmth caresses my bare skin
And sleeping beauty wakens
Along with Earth's glorious
Re-awakening of Spring.

How I long to roll down the hill--
With somersaults and cartwheels--
Scramble at the bottom,
The edge of the forest,
And climb high in Twisted Tree.

Oh, I long to let go of the rope
And glide through the air
Landing with a joyous splash
In the cool river water.

How I long to hike the bluff--
Only to see the blue sky
Only to feel the breeze on my face
Only to smell the blooming fragrances--
And, stretch my arms wide,
Twirling in delight.

Oh, I long to jump onto the haystack
From the barn window on the farm,
Then thrust my hands in the tilled dirt
And feel earth's heart-the garden.

How I long to fly a kite
And watch it soar above the trees,
Flapping freely in the wind,
Then skip with glee
To my picnic lunch and blanket.

Oh, I long to fling myself,
Naked, into the ocean
For waves to kiss my body
And cleanse my soul.

How I long to throw myself
Headfirst and unthinking--
Like a child running into the sun
For no reason but to run-
Into all I want, all I hope, all I love.

I wrote this poem over ten years ago when I lived in Missouri, and I miss the changing seasons there, especially the newness of spring. I love spring and the renewal it brings, the new opportunities, the waking of words, bodies, souls.

Today started out rough as I am low on resources:  too little sleep, money, gas and too many errands, chores, work. Overcommitted, overworked, underpaid…I am running on empty, only the frantic energy of stress and worry moving me forward. All I wanted to do was get through the day, cross everything off, and crawl into bed.

On the way home from work, I called my uncle, and he mentioned that spring begins today. That small piece of news has worked its magic, and somehow I feel more awake, alive, aware. Hopeful like a blooming daffodil.

I am still exhausted. I still have too many things to do. I still don’t know how I will accomplish it all. Yet now I have spring. And so do you.

There are many spring quotes and poems that I adore. Here are a few:

Spring has returned.  The Earth is like a child that knows poems.  ~Rainer Maria Rilke

It's spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you've got it, you want – oh, you don't quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment.  ~Ellis Peters

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.  ~Margaret Atwood

If you've never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.  ~Audra Foveo

What are your favorites? Please share in the comments section below.

Happy Spring!