though the leaves are dark and gray
 spring warmth has peeked into February
 bringing bright buds of hope
 out from under winter’s dust
 
 i spend the afternoon on my knees
 pulling back remnants of last year
 tossing battered bits into the compost
 readying my earth for its awakening
 
 red and green and even aspen
 tease me from their burrowed roots
 promising with winter’s end
 that color can come back home