A Lighter Step
Spring arrives inch by inch,
an early snowdrop here
the first cuckoo there.
The yellow celandines dance,
golden bonnets tossed by the wind.
In the woods the anemones,
like powdery snow,
with that light blush of pink,
grow shyly in the moss
beneath the ancient oak.
Cock robins battle for supremacy,
No Christmas card angels now,
they are fighting to the death.

Grey town streets new-baptised
with the pink of cherry blossom,
images of Mount Fuji in New York
a yellow sea of daffodils and primroses,
briefly washes over city parks.
From the grimy walls of the metro
clumps of green hair sprout from cracks.
Beside suburban stations magic oceans
of bluebells flood the banks.
The office clerk, the girl at the till
tread all the lighter for this yearly rebirth.

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Robin
A splash of blood against the snow,
Hopping over new dug earth,
Seeking shelter from a cold North wind,
Territorial, challenging rivals to
a fight, defying cats and a solitary hawk.

Hero of Christmas cards and glitter,
Motif on crackers and Xmas tags,
Seen as a jolly, lively fellow,
Partner of snowmen, sleighs, baubles,
Friend of wrapping paper and festive tape.

Feathers puffed out on frosty mornings,
Springtime eggs, of bright sky blue,
Friendly, you perch on old fork handles. Yet killed
by a sparrow’s bow and arrow, The red of
Christmas, becomes Easter’s passion.

Note:
In English folk lore the old song says:
“Who killed cock Robin?
I said the sparrow with my bow and arrow“

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Sarah Das Gupta is a Cambridge, UK poet whose work has been published in over twenty countries. She has been nominated for the Best of the Net and a Dwarf Star.