Spring Delayed

April has all but given up the fight
March clings – then attacks again
With rain, another cold front
More rain, this time with snow

The paddock is a patch of boot sucking mud
The pasture is funneling small rivers from our neighbor's field
The horses, still on hay, look for any sign of green
And try not to shed out too much

The hedgerow is as sullen as I am
Waiting, disappointed, for warmth
Still dark, holding back the green buds
No shelter to that puffed up robin

The birds know the spring will come
The barn cats will stretch out in the sun
The Lilac buds will open enough
To see which are leaf, which are blossom

The robin, as if to remind me,
Still sings his sweet song for the spring.