Forsythia in February?
not here in this northern snow zone
it must be greenhouse grown.

Yet, this harbinger of Spring
fills me with anticipation of warming days
when the sun will rise early and stay long
and robins will return to nest in the porch eaves.

This butter yellow flower that blooms
before its green leaves begin to bud
ignites in me the desire to throw off 
the weariness of winter
the heaviness of loss.

This hothouse grown sprig of brightness
warms my heart today
and enlightens and enlivens my soul
with its promise of new life
Forsythia in February 
is the gift of renewed hope and energy.