April is such a spectacular time of the year. Here in the northern hemisphere we often associate this month with ‘April Showers’. However, now with climate change, we are experiencing a shift in the seasons. Our weather patterns are changing, and temperatures are rising. Surly nature is becoming a little confused – when to bloom, when to lay dormant. & “where is the rain when we need it?”… I can almost hear her say…

“Spring is when life’s alive in everything.”
– Christina Rosetti

Although our climate is currently topsy-turvy what we are still sure of is that ‘Spring is in the air‘. Beautiful buds are appearing with bright colourful blooming.  Albeit some flowers have remained all through the winter – the roses in my garden for example. Leaves have started growing in hedges and on trees. Nature is coming alive again after a long-wilted winter.

An April Day
Poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

When the warm sun, that brings
Seed-time and harvest, has returned again,
‘T is sweet to visit the still wood, where springs
The first flower of the plain.

I love the season well,
When forest glades are teeming with bright forms,
Nor dark and many-folded clouds foretell
The coming-on of storms.

From the earth’s loosened mould
The sapling draws its sustenance, and thrives;
Though stricken to the heart with winter’s cold,
The drooping tree revives.

The softly-warbled song
Comes from the pleasant woods, and coloured wings
Glance quick in the bright sun, that moves along
The forest openings.

When the bright sunset fills
The silver woods with light, the green slope throws
Its shadows in the hollows of the hills,
And wide the upland glows.

And when the eve is born,
In the blue lake the sky, o’er-reaching far,
Is hollowed out and the moon dips her horn,
And twinkles many a star.

Inverted in the tide
Stand the gray rocks, and trembling shadows throw,
And the fair trees look over, side by side,
And see themselves below.

Sweet April! many a thought
Is wedded unto thee, as hearts are wed;
Nor shall they fail, till, to its autumn brought,
Life’s golden fruit is shed.

Spring is in the Air

This beautiful poem, An April Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, begins with the arrival of spring.
The warm sun is in the sky, and the poet is out in the forest enjoying a moment in the natural beauty.

The poem describes nature and the splendour it spreads at spring time. A delightful portrayal that can only come from spending time immersed in nature… and indeed after a great deal of observation. So full of imagery, with a joyous tone the poet celebrates the magnificent arrival of spring. The ending is an alluring romantic note where the poet claims to love this time of the season forever.

A beautiful poem, that takes us on a beguiling journey through forests filled with flowers and bees. A delightful read for nature lovers – and of course everyone else too!

“The first blooms of spring always make my heart sing.”

– S. Brown

Happy Spring everyone!

Photos of brown rabbits: by Niklas Jeromin
Feature photo: by Anton Atanasov (Forest with fresh green grass in spring)