Spring Ponderings

Spring has sprung. After the prayed-for rain, the grass is finally green and birds that carouse in my bird bath flash brighter colors. The only thing I hate about this time of year is the buckets of winter hair I brush off my horses. Since April is poetry month, inspired by my now shedding horses, with an apology to real poets, I will share a poem I wrote. 
   
     Horses Change Coats    
 
     Before winter clouds plump in the sky, 
     before snowdrifts pile up too high,
     before the sun with its bold, bright light 
     falls asleep longer each night,
     long fluffy hair appears 
     on muzzles, fetlocks, and pointy ears.
     During the winter horses wear, 
     a thick warm coat of shaggy hair.     

     When the sky becomes bright and blue, 
     when spring flowers begin to sprout, 
     when birds build nests and fly about,
     horsy hides turn slick and sleek 
     as the sun shines longer and hotter each week.
     Preparing for summer’s fiery glare, 
     horses lose their winter hair.

     Horses must keep a watchful eye 
     on the sun’s yearly travel across the sky
     as it changes places every day, 
     climbing and dipping along the way,
     letting mares and stallions know 
     it’s time for their winter coat to grow.
     Or perhaps to warn instead, 
     it's time for their hairy coats to shed.

Now that our daylight hours lengthen, here in California time springs forward, so don't forget to set your clocks.
Happy Spring!