spring has sprung (is springing? will spring?)

It's a sunny day in D.C., but it's supposed to drop to near-freezing temperatures tomorrow, so celebrating spring seems a little premature. Still, I did see a budding tree this morning and daffodils have been popping up on our daily walks, so positive thoughts, friends...and positive words from old English class anthologies:

 

Spring

Gerard Manley Hopkins 1918

 

NOTHING is so beautiful as spring— When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush; Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;        The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.   What is all this juice and all this joy? A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning          In Eden garden.—Have, get, before it cloy, Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning, Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy, Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.