Springing Flowers

The iced earth encases within hidden depths a dormant forgotten fossil, enslaving each limb's tendril budding like pebbles locked in chains forged, contorted by rock and stratified slate twisted by snowy sleet, spiked corkscrews drill clay, marble and compact soil, root through the dreary winter blackened grass and heather, popping spring's nuevo vintage exploding over the curb's ridge, where alabaster petals brim over, winking under a spiky hedgerow overflowing in beads that bristle like pearls enamelled but brittle dangling in emerald gowns that deck the lay-by in greens, edged by slush and white crystal, Then the freeze retreats, growing frail as a snowdrop nods its head, spring sends a February friend.