Happy Poetry Friday, and National Poetry Month. I’ve had such a rich week perusing Jama Rattigan’s blog Jama’s Alphabet Soup and her postings of the many poets featuring poems this month! I’ve been following the Progressive Poem that Irene Latham began and will participate later this month on April 19th. Here on my blog I’m writing poems about flora and fauna with a bit of art too.
Today I have a very short tanka poem to encourage spring here in the midwest, she’s taking her sweet time. Spring bulbs are slowly emerging even with our winter like temps. I’m looking forward to some warm southern breezes. In addition I have another spring poem by Katherine Mansfield.
My Poems:
Poem one– DEAR APRIL
Poem two–Haiku Azaleas
Poem three–ODE TO SHUN LEE
Poem four–Haiku Daffodils
Poem five–APRIL’S MYSTERIES
APRIL’S BUDS
Peek-a-boo buds in
April’s garden, hiding
between tongues of green,
now’s your turn–don’t be shy–
Come on out, share your shine!
© 2018 Michelle Kogan
VERY EARLY SPRING
by Katherine Mansfield
The fields are snowbound no longer;
There are little blue lakes and flags of tenderest green.
The snow has been caught up into the sky–
So many white clouds–and the blue of the sky is cold.
Now the sun walks in the forest,
He touches the bows and stems with his golden fingers;
They shiver, and wake from slumber.
Over the barren branches he shakes his yellow curls.
Read the rest of the poem at the Poem Hunter
Thanks to Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm for hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup!
Michelle Kogan Illustration, Painting, & Writing 
Lovely painting, Michelle. “Peek-a-boo buds” gives this delayed spring a playful twist. Thank you for sharing Katherine Mansfield’s poem with its rich personification.
Thanks Alice–Spring is coming, just a bit slow. I like the whimsy in Katherine Mansfield’s poems!
Spring certainly needs coaxing this year. Your poem is delightful. Love the bit of whimsy you added with the peek-a-boo buds. 🙂 Lovely painting too.
So sad to see snow out my window. I’d much rather see your bulbs. 🙂
Love your ‘Peek-a-boo buds’ – although I wish we had some here!
Sweet poem! I am waiting for those spring buds. Tired of the cold and snow. Your poem is a perfect companion to the painting. 🙂
Share your shine! What a positive command. I love it.
Love the “peek-a-boo” buds, of which we’ve had a few, now I want more! Beautiful again, Michelle.
Thanks Linda, Me too, it supposed to reach 50 midweek, whoo hoo!
It’s fascinating to me how the spring perennials respond to the increase of light and the bit of warmth that come between the incessant snows. Our trillium is up, but brr…I can’t imagine blooming in this cold. I guess they have to be ready when warmth finally comes, right?
Peek a boo bulbs is just right for this spring. I believe we’ve had more snow since spring than we did all winter! I hope your poem and painting coax spring to come out for good this week!
I enjoyed your poem. I’m in Illinois, and Spring is taking her sweet time here, too.
Thanks Kimberly, Yes I wish it would hurry on!
I have a vase of pussy willows here in the living room, and they make me so happy. I adore those buds playing peek-a-boo, and your painting is simply luscious. Happy continued April! x
Thanks Amy, so happy to have growing things around–all through the seasons!
I’m with you, ready for those peek-a-boo buds to shine. In the meanwhile, we’ve got your shiny spring painting to enjoy!
Hooray for peek-a-boo buds. I love that. and your painting is so fresh.
Like so many others, “peek-a-boo buds” delights me. I love the personification of Katherine Mansfield’s poem and think she captured shivering early spring beautifully! Here’s hoping that your poem coaxes a few more buds to come out and play.