The scent of spring — that essential
reek of soil, of earthworm, spice of oils
in blossoms that awake our spirits, are
emotions, sorrows gone, an essence wrung
from breath of winter gone, the attar
brewed from joy, distilled from
mourning drained with light, the rose
that buds, the cherry bloom to be.
In early spring we wait but we are not
impatient, but follow progress that’s expressed
in dawn that kiss us while still in bed, by
walks in woods by glimpse of suns
behind the clouds, of birdsong not alone
the snowy silence gone, of everything it
was and what this coming is
when winter leave us this — the gift
of daylight, growth and budding love, the gift of
time that turns us tighter, fastens, screws.
Isaac Levitan
Today it is OLN with a Live event on Saturday at dVerse where I will also read this spring poem.
The poem is a golden shovel based on Emily Dickenson’s poem 675 Essential Oils—are wrung—
March 14, 2023
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Love this, Bjorn! Most especially those last three lines! Spring is TRYING TRYING to come to Boston…..the bulb plants (tulips and crocus) have their greens breaking through the soil. No sign of buds on any trees yet. And I always remember, in 1997, on April 1, Boston had 27 inches of snow in a huge blizzard! Hopefully, not this year!
The spring still hesitates… now a bit warmer, but likely some snow during the weekend… so yes we are still waiting
Hi Bjorn,
This poem is delightful – simply flowing like a summer stream, opening the door to coming Spring.
Difficult to pick out favourite lines but especially loved
‘brewed from joy, distilled from
mourning drained with light, the rose
that buds, the cherry bloom to be.’
Beautiful
Thank you, and I am not sure that it was clear, but the end words are picked from Emily Dickensons poem…
Having read Emily’s poem – I prefer yours
(does that make me a bad person?) haha
The Isaac Levitan painting illustrates your poem beautifully, and I enjoyed your golden shovel, Björn. I really like the scent of spring: ‘of soil, of earthworm, spice of oils in blossoms’, and the ‘cherry bloom to be’ – there are buds just waiting to burst on our cherry tree. I also enjoyed the ‘snowy silence gone’ – out garden is now loud with birdsong.
O yes, for us there is only a little bit of birdsong yet… but that make the morning just delightful…
Beautiful and your last line is surprising and perfect. Here in Florida spring is almost over, everything shouts in naked bloom.
As the last word was given by Emily’s poem I had to tweak it to fit the screws… we are not yet in spring here (not winter either)
Nature has her precise timing. We have to be patient, indeed😊
much♡love
Indeed… it is part of the charm to wait for its arrival
Very good, Björn!
Thank you so much
you sound as eager for spring as I am. but yes a drop of patience is required
It is far from instant gratification
I love your perspective on Spring and the gifts it brings of light and time.
Spring is on its way… but not quite here yet.
Hypnotic–as this seasonal change often is. (K)
Small steps but so visible.
Lovely rhythm and flow to this Bjorn, a pleasure to read.
JIM
Thank you… I am glad it pleases.
A beautiful poem
Thank you so much
You’re welcome ☺️
A beautiful poem describing spring and her gifts. I like the cadence, the subtle rhyming.
Thank you, it tried to use a bit rhymes, but some were also coincidal
Wow, this is a beautiful weaving of words. The message resonates. I am drawn to these lines in particular.
“the attar
brewed from joy, distilled from
mourning drained with light, the rose
that buds, the cherry bloom to be.”
Thank you…. I really feel the spring approaching and decided to go with scent primaraly,
Nothing is certain except for the movement of time. I liked this, best wishes on your reading. Growing up on the farm and having to help with farm work, I have stacked hay there. You picture brings memories.
..
Indeed… time does move ahead, and spring is coming with all its life.
I love all the scents of essential oils and earthy spring in your write, Bjorn ☺️
To include words relating to perfume is a wonderful device… and Emily’s poem inspired that.
Spring is indeed “the gift
of daylight,”–even if the temperature is chilly, we still have more light. A delightful golden shovel, Björn!
Thank you… the weather shifts day to day.
The definition of early spring!
I so delight in how you’ve captured the essence of spring with your vivid imagery and that sense of anticipation… Wonderfully written…
~David
Thank you, glad that you found it readable.
that is a major understatement!
A poem that flows so well into those last few words about the gift of time and you picked the perfect image to go with it..
Exquisite proses! I love these lines
” the attar
brewed from joy, distilled from
mourning drained with light, the rose
that buds, the cherry bloom to be.”
Thank you so much