‘Equinox Blues’ and Other Poetry by Julian Woodruff

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Equinox Blues

Welcome to spring! The last snow may be past,
_and bright blue frames the parting clouds.
The sun rides longer in the sky, at last,
_than lost to night’s slow–ebbing shrouds.

The weather’s clearing but, alas, not warming;
_light sparkles on our coldest day
since winter last. No honeybees are swarming:
_they’re told, “rest hive–bound.” They obey.

A theory starts a–budding in my brain
_(peculiar, fancy–filled theater)
that never will the summer cross again
_the thin belt known as the equator;

instead, just like the pendulum in clocks,
_the axis of our globe will swing,
retreating from the vernal equinox
_as northerners lament lost spring;

then steadily pursue its novel course,
_stolidly winter solstice–bound;
and reaching it, stilled by some unknown force,
_rest three months while the earth spins ‘round,

And so on … But no—best presume somehow
the earth will muddle through: it has till now.

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Spring’s Summons

__The sun’s rays, duly paced
from February till the end of winter,
__have steadily erased
the thick carpet of white. They prompt the Tinter

__out of long hibernation:
“Well, act! You see the drab and sullen straits
__about. Time for elation:
to green, pink, blue, and yellow raise the gates,

__“and vibrant purple, too—
not just from ground and vine, from shrub and tree,
__but more: the lively view
should shine in window panes for all to see.

__“Let marshes, ponds, and lakes
cast off their pallid stillness; let our power
__gleam on their swells and breaks,
from break of dawn till our departing hour.

“That done, the sounds to suit will soon be heard:
leaves rustling, brooklet gushing, chirping bird.”

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Julian D. Woodruff writes poetry and short fiction for children and adults. He recently finished 2020-2021, a poetry collection. A selection of his work can be read at Parody Poetry, Lighten Up Online, Carmina Magazine, and Reedsy.