Dirty water attracts rain boots

and children.

Snow to melt

still

air to leave

still

until leaves

move,

grown of dirty water.

The grey branches are

skirmishing

with the bright, lovely things.

They both need

water

but won’t

share.

It isn’t time yet to be

afraid

of summer.

Of the flowers that are

starting

to sweat

dirty water,

drowning

and trampled.

Idle children

cannot wait

for summer

blooms.

Hug the colors close

and will them to

remember

that even in the Northeast

it is spring,

and

the whole world

should be

saplings.