Winter's Goodbye

I'm looking out my window and there are large snowflakes gently falling against a backdrop of spring green. They are falling in slow motion without any wind, as if they know that when they hit the earth they, along with winter, will disappear.

Ice in the birdbath and a dusting of snow

I reverently savor this scene; it is the last goodbye of winter. Another season has passed and, although I am not a fan of winter's cold, I do love the seasons and even winter has a place in my heart.

A light dusting of snow on the daffodils this morning

Now the snow has trickled to a stray flake or two. Goodbye, winter.

And Spring arose on the garden fair,

Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast

rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

-Percy Shelley-