Forgive our haste...a busy day but we will return. Meanwhile, this purplish-blue flower-jewel (by Gertrud K.) inspires thoughts of spring renewal, even on a morning when it seems winter is trying to make a return. Begone winter! The following is by Linda Pastan (originally in Atlantic Monthly). More about Linda soon, but we don't think she'd mind if we reprinted it here.
Crocuses
They come
by stealth, spreading
the rumour of spring --
near the hedge . . .
by the gate . . .
at our chilly feet . . .
mothers of saffron, fathers
of insurrection, purple
and yellow scouts
of an army still massing
just to the south.
GG/editor