Chinook

It begins as usual, softly and without fuss,

a slight elevation of temperature,

the breaking of ice

Chinook arrives

bringing with it the faint tang of spring.

It is more a taste than a smell, sharper

you feel brighter and more energetic for no apparent reason.

Late snows melt almost as they soon as they come,

daffodils peek through the silken white blanket

children giggle as they see the flowers

they become soaking wet, hustled into a bath by mom

to prevent a chill with Spring coming.