Early Spring in the Contoocook Valley

Winter’s poor stretch of weather

replaced by warmer days.

The Contoocook’s current continues

its swift flow, fed by melting snow.

Daffodils have only green shoots

but a chorus of wood frogs

sweeps across an ephemeral pool.

The wave of crimson haze

along the forest’s edge foretells

the appearance of fresh leaves.

Watchers on the hills attempt

to catch the hawks’ migration

as nuthatches search for cozy crevices

in which to construct their new nests.

Lainie Senechal