New Shoots

There is something uplifting about spotting new growth after winter's icy grip and barrenness .  We expound on the sight of the first snowdrops and speculate then on when the first crocuses and daffodils might appear. There is the constant fear that frost or snow may return and spoil the chances of this new growth, especially when fruit trees blossom, as we fear for the demise of the flowers or the non appearance of pollinating insects.

Today as I drove down the Amounderness Way I was suddenly aware of the ' greenness' of the wayside trees catching the sun's rays . Now further into the fells or hills the appearance of new shoots comes a little later , and it's interesting to note the differences, as this affects the behaviour of wildlife that inhabit the different areas.

I was walking by the Lancaster canal recently and the catkins were well on, but no sign of other buds on the blackberries for example, as  some plants can produce buds earlier , being resistant to frost and cold winds.

This week' s poem is from my archives ( yet again) and was possibly written in 1965...it's entitled
"April Comes" ....you will now appreciate that it was written in Aberdeen and that the appearance of new shoots is later there than here!

           April Comes

           The daffodils are as yellow as a duckling's down,
           Their petals are as soft as a silken gown.
           The butterflies have woken up and are flitting to and fro,
           Watch them land, try to catch them, and away they go.

           Little green shoots are peeping through the ground,
           Taking in the sunshine of a world new-found.
           The trees are covered in blossom bright
           Open all day and closing at night.

           The days are warm and sunny, the nights are clear.
           The moon is silver when the stars appear.
           The wind blows warm in a southerly breeze,
           That whispers like voices through the trees.
       
               
Thanks for reading Kath.