This last day of March I reflect on how far spring has progressed this year. Yesterday we went for a walk in the local forest. Though the ground is mostly brown with last year’s decaying leaves the ground is also speckled blue with hepatica in full bloom.
I remember the year when snow still covered the ground until April arrived. From Nebulous white to lugubrious umbra my world transitioned, if I could travel back in time I would rather wait for the blue glimpse of spring, and let winter reign a little bit longer.
Usually though, it is the scent of flowers that sends me back in time, which means that I will have to wait until May when the perfumes of lilies of the valley, lilacs or honeysuckle send me back to childhood games or romance.
curious eyes
appearing out of nowhere —
squirrel peek-a-boo
Today Merril hosts Haibun Monday at dVerse, and she wants us to write in a time travel perspective. My preference was to write from the perspective of how different the arrival of spring can be.
March 31, 2025
Björn Rudbergs writings 
This is a great perspective on the passage of time. Climate change seems to be accelerating. I would love to see the ground full of blue hepatica.
We are lucky to have quite a lot where we live… it is a wonderful flower, one of the really early wildflowers of spring.
I can see them in my imagination.
I love the picture of the catkins, Björn; we’ve been lucky to have a lot of them this year. It must be strange for you to have a snowless spring. I too love the scent of lilies of the valley, lilacs and honeysuckle – old fashioned scents that remind me of my grandparents. And what a coincidence – we had a squirrel in our garden today. Peek-a-boo!
I love those little squirrels (and I hope you have the red ones still)… we have them all around our house.
Only grey ones in England, except for the Isle of Wight.
I like when spring does not come too early. The scent of flowers can definitely bring memories. I love the curious squirrel in your haiku. We have so many squirrels here.
I love your catkins photos, too!
It was nice to see the catkins on Sunday… definitely a sign of spring.
Almost overnight spring has burst into bloom here.
Wow! This is so nice, you have brought to life the scenes, i could vision the blissom fall among the dried leaves
Happy Monday
much♡love
It is a wonderful splash of color.
I appreciate taking this walk with you, Björn. Snowless or snow-filled, it’s a beautiful walk filled with wonderful memories.
Very nicely done! Interesting that you prefer winter to spring!
“Usually though, it is the scent of flowers that sends me back in time”
Yes. Flower scents are transporters.
I could see the peekaboo squirrel.
Today, was the first day it actually felt like spring here. Still no flowers but, I agree with you May brings the best scents. Lilies of the Valley remind me of my grandmother they grew along the side of her house. She used to say “if you are silent you can hear the bells of the divine” That has always stayed with me.
A lovely Haibun.
I love how this haibun captures both the longing for past winters and the quiet beauty of spring’s arrival. The haiku adds such a playful, lighthearted touch!
~David
In my little corner of the world, waiting for May and all that she brings is our burden as well. But, when she comes it is glorious … as is your poem.
A true wanderer knows his or her nature like the palm of their hand…a very nice little haībun walk..
Wonderful haibun, Bjorn! I don’t experiences the seasons here, so it was nice to see them through your eyes.
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
I note the change in season timing, but I particularly resonate with the smell of flowers taking us back.