Wetly they plunged into the
Heart of their backyard. The ground
Was brown and green and white, the
Leftover snow clumping into
Dark, icy puddles, or
glistening white mounds. A few
Weeds had returned already,
Peppering the brown with green.
But underneath it all was
Mud; profuse, oozing, suckling
Mud, like a baby at your boots,
Clinging to each step and dropping
Away with a moist pop. The
Earth was rising from winter
With all the grace of a
Pubescent teenager.

They played in the snow for the
Last time, and then went inside,
And thirsted for summer.