Once, in April

I heard the rumor whispered 

in the greening wood.

The message was dispatched on wings         

which barely touched 

the sleeping sky

echoing

echoing 

a fading call 

that she would come.

I turned my head to better hear and saw

a swelling promise

wrapped in veils of white 

as yet too young to blush 

at my inquiring gaze.               

Then early heat 

did burst the bud and rush 

the blood into my cheek

as I beheld the woman Spring!

She pressed her fragrant bosom

to my face

and I inhaled…

and she was gone