Vernal Equinox morning

I stepped outside into the forest holding its tongue. A full moon and the beginning of sunrise perched on opposing sides of the horizon. Machinery began to hum on the moon side. Closer to the still unseen sun, a robin broke out in staccato laughter. A cardinal was the first to deem the light bright enough to sing. The world of man spoke up in response, and crows commented on the dawn from distant roosts. Then that first robin began his song.

Snow clung to cold pockets and shadows. The water pooled in depressions everywhere had a veneer of ice criss-crossed with stress lines. Chickadees sang in slightly offset unison, almost masked by the loud descending notes of a cardinal. Overhead, the light blue sky provided a backdrop for fat tree buds preparing to flower. Below, the flattened leaves were revealed in russets and grays. Moss barely stood out from the brown, although I knew that lately it’s shone emerald green in full light. Frost graced the edges of the forest.