FIRST DAYS OF FEBRUARY

First published in February 2022

First days of February
The not-quite smell of spring
trembles in the air, mini-irises
huddle close to the ground, tucking
purple faces away from a still-
bitter wind.

Pencilled branches glow pale
in a wash of sunlight, a fat daffodil
bud teases with a line of almost-
colour - will tomorrow be its
birth-day?

A single primrose, its scribble
luminous against winter-dark earth,
makes a first splash of chrome
on a blank canvas, courageous
in its timing.