Blackthorn

Although I’d been waiting,

I was still taken by surprise

as we sped between the hedgerows

suddenly to realize

that the blackthorn had exploded

into blossom and all around,

the countryside was brushed with white

like the driven snow, bright

in the spring sunshine

and I knew I had but a short time

to enjoy the cleansing light,

before the florets shed

like spent confetti to be flattened

into memory under wheels and feet,

and I wondered how much

will have changed before

I was caught off guard again

next year.

John H Davies

26th March 2011