The calendar tells me its spring. Yet, it’s still below freezing. My giant candy canes are trapped in solid iciness and refuse to be tugged free.

I see signs that the earth believes it will be warm soon.

Daffodils stretch fingerlings out of the dried leaves.

Bleeding Heart poke red noses out of the frozen ground.

Barberry shields new growth from the snow.

I do believe I see buds on the dogwood. The earth knows. I hope.