Evening walk, Mid-March by Sarah Sadie

Evening walk, Mid-March
by
Sarah Sadie

Tho' there is no new path, just the usual

neighborhood circle, familiar as the salt

caking the pavement squares.

Piles of shrinking snow humped up along the curbs,

each night the puddles freeze, each morning thaw,

and grass, clumped and frizzled, and mud. Mud.

Gritty, dull, the land, the houses. Everything

needs washing, and a second rinse cycle.

But the sky is full of occasion -- robins.

Robins invisible

in the still-bare trees, twittering, chirruping

cheerily around the entire suburban block.

It couldn't be called song,

that curiously bubbling chatter-sound they make,

waxy and bibulous as a pubhouse or bridal shower.

cheerio, cheeri-up, killup killaree, killup killaree, cheeri-up, cheerio

Come spring, that much-dreamed distant season, these trees

will bust out green, our salt-stained eyes

rejoice -- but not then, not again as

everywhere now the chirping of robins, and water running,

and then and now we are arrived at home.

From Quiver (Red Dragonfly Press, 2009).
Used here with the author's permission.

Sarah Sadie lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and two children. She co-edits the poetry magazine Verse Wisconsin, and is the author of a full-length collection, Somewhere Piano, and two chapbooks: Quiver and Given These Magics.

Jo:
a second rinse cycle rings true, as does the salt-stained eyes--very unique image, and the dreamed distant season. You surely have a way with words. How perfectly you described it. Thanks Sarah.
Posted 03/16/2014 02:34 PM

karenpaulholmes:
Such clear language and fresh images-- Love the pubhouse or bridal shower.I'm glad I live in the south now after many years of winter in Michigan and two years in Madison when my then husband was at UW.
Posted 03/16/2014 01:16 PM

Glen Sorestad:
Your images of Wisconsin Spring are very portable, Sarah. I can see most of them around me in Saskatoon. Spot on!
Posted 03/16/2014 09:41 AM

tiddles:
Your images are so true, Sarah. Love the need for a second rinse cycle! Saw my first robin yesterday. Marilyn Windau
Posted 03/16/2014 09:24 AM

KevinArnold:
What a delightful poem. Having gone to UW I know this particular season, which she's captured better than any photograph could.
Posted 03/16/2014 09:11 AM

mjorlock:
Sarah possesses a sharp eye and unique perspective. Thanks for sharing this poem.
Posted 03/16/2014 08:17 AM

Sherry:
I like how the neighborhood appears kind of dirty and needs washing; I guess that's what April showers are for. Nice poem!
Posted 03/16/2014 07:55 AM

JanetruthMartin:
'Come spring, that much dreamed distant season'...yes! one of many great lines in this poem.
Posted 03/16/2014 07:39 AM

mimi:
no one could have captured this season better--thanks, Sarah!
Posted 03/16/2014 07:33 AM

Janet Leahy:
Yes, I read this through my "salt-stained eyes" and "rejoice" to hear the harbinger of spring sing. Thanks Sarah,
Posted 03/16/2014 07:32 AM

vscholtz:
"the sky is full of occasion" a terrific surprise. Thanks
Posted 03/16/2014 06:16 AM

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