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When the understory of the woods
is flattened
and you can see the contours
of the earth,
the rock out-croppings—all this
just after the
last pockets of snow disappear,
while everything
is still sere, brown, gray—when
now and then
a woodcock whistles or you can hear
a lone goose
going somewhere—all this, this sweet
early spring—
with no bugs at all, none, not a single one—
this
clear, beautiful and brief moment,
this emptiness—
this is the time
I love the best—
before the world fills up again with
insects, leaves,
brush, birds, green, a last brief rest—
quiet and peace—
before I have to turn and face
the lush and fertile,
noisy spring.
From Happy Life, forthcoming from Copper Canyon Press in September 2011
Used with the author’s permission.
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David Budbill (1940 - 2016) was born in Cleveland, Ohio to a streetcar driver and a minister's daughter. He is the author of seven books of poems, eight plays, a novel, a collection of short stories, a picture book for children, dozens of essays, and the libretto for an opera. A one-time commentator on National Public Radio's All Things Considered, David received numerous awards in the course of his career. Learn more about him at www.davidbudbill.com.
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DavidBudbill:
Jayne,
Thanks again for posting my poem. And for all the other things that follow the poem, my pix, my bio and links to my books. You've even got my very first book, BARKING DOG, up there!
David
Posted 04/07/2011 10:07 AM
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loisflmom:
In Florida there is no early spring like this, but I do remember such times from my years of living in New Jersey. I miss this, but not the cold which precedes it.
Posted 04/02/2011 11:27 PM
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jimi c. hartmann:
Next to a busy brook, I do not sense this quietude until I walk into the high hill above us and stand in the wonder of silence...then I know what you mean...and now your poem will fill me with awakened appreciation as I inhale the peace.
Posted 04/02/2011 12:33 PM
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dotief@comcast.net:
Wonderful!
Posted 04/02/2011 08:40 AM
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Buckner14:
No wonder you love and choose his poetry; this is a gem, both in technique and in substance.
Posted 04/02/2011 08:21 AM
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vmirk@earthlink.net:
Makes me realize that I've never appreciated this time of the seasons. I am a Florida native where the seasons tend to blur together. But I did get a glimpse of it on our trip to Washington D.C. the first week in March and this poem describes it perfectly. How wonderful to have the talent to express it so beautifully.
Posted 04/02/2011 07:17 AM
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