The Indifference of March

"The Indifference of March"
By Deb Lambert

A sad, gray, windy month, really -
whatever sun struggles through,
fades away all too quickly
at the end of each short day.

The soft roses and brilliant hearts
of Valentine’s Day are but a memory
and the warmth and sweetness
of April is still a dream.

Somehow, March seems an indifferent month,
giving us an occasional warm day,
followed by a blast of arctic air,
cold rain and often snow!

It is surely indifferent
to the rhythms and cycles
of cold climate gardening
and those who garden there.

We want to release tender plants
from their winter protections
and uncover the roses,
but March makes us hesitate.

In fact, March’s great indifference
often accounts for our own indifference,
our general ambivalence,
and not just as gardeners.

While April whispers in soft breezes,
March roars into one ear and out the other,
sending us running for shelter
then luring us back out with sudden warmth.

It blows hot, then blows cold...
maybe fickleness is in its makeup,
alternately caressing and rebuffing
the walker, biker, shopper and gardener.

Of course, the inveterate gardener
makes the best of an indifferent situation
by pruning, clearing away winter’s remnants,
planning and starting crops indoors.

Yes, I find March to be quite indifferent
and I would remain totally indifferent to March,
but for one important fact...
it brings us 31 days closer to April's gardens!

©Deb Lambert 2008