The Middle of Spring


Watching and listening to the Wheel turn brings back memories

In my part of the desert, the vernal equinox marks the approximate middle point of spring, just as the autumnal equinox marks the approximate middle of autumn.

Yesterday we had highs in the mid 70s, and it only got down to 48 last night. Shirtsleeve weather, so it's time to wash my jacket and put it back in the closet for a six months.

I've got birdsong this morning and flowers poking their heads up. Yesterday when I went to the folk's place to check on Mom, she's got a plum tree just covered in violet blossoms and some flowering white thing that I don't know what is. I've got maybe five beds, not counting my altar space. She's got almost thirty, maybe more. They call her the flower lady.

My maternal grandfather was a farmer before the clan moved from Louisiana to Arizona. After he retired, he started gardening. Not quite farming, but enough to grow amazing veggies for the family and friends with plenty left over to give to other households who were having a tough time.

Anyway, one spring he was up looking at all of Mom's flowerbeds. "Daddy, what do you think?"

"You can't eat flowers, Sister."

"But Daddy, they feed the soul."

I admit that I am enough of his grandson that if I am going to grow something, I want it to be useful.

But Mom has a real gift for the flowers and the pretty stuff. Who am I to tell her no?

There's a place for it.

Desert towns and cities are places where the stamp of humanity shows strong. There are still roads where one side is "civilized" and the other side is wild.

All over the state, the desert is greening up, showing off the life that dwells deep within. That's what the spring is for me. By the summer it will have dried out, but right now it's ripe, there is no other word that fits.

Speaking of which:

Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
It's ripe enough for me

Let me touch all those flowers
Let me touch all those flowers
Let me touch all those flowers
They're fresh enough for me

Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
It's ripe enough for me

The Lady promised her children
The Lady promised her children
The Lady promised her children
The blessings flow for me

Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
It's ripe enough for me

The Lady's touch means life
The Lady's touch means life
The Lady's touch means life
Harmony for me

Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
It's ripe enough for me

The Lord's touch is love
The Lord's touch is love
The Lord's touch is love
Renew the world for me

Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that sweet green springtime
It's ripe enough for me

Joined in rapture They'll dream the World
Joined in rapture They'll dream the World
Joined in rapture They'll dream the World
And the Wheel will turn again

Gimme that sweet green springtime
Gimme that grand golden summer
Gimme that fine scarlet autumn
Winter's white enough for me

Yes, I grew up with spirituals. Sometimes I adapt.

Posted: Sat - March 21, 2009 at 07:39 AM
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