The aspen trees bend under
unyielding March winds.
The grove moans swaying violently
in the late winter storm.
The early birds disappear
having come north too soon.
Another log on the fire
thwarts the rising chill in the air.
Blankets, put up a week earlier
are pulled from the winter chest.
The tea kettle whistles
as the homestead snuggles up
and settles down for winter’s last gasp.
In the northern highlands it's called the breakup, the thawing of the land snow and ice recede replaced by mud and flood the once peaceful winter landscape turns bleak and brown the churning of icy waters and dirt prepare the land for the season ahead the great "breakthrough" the rise of the green the rebirth of life the coming of spring the people of the highlands rejoice! plant seeds tend gardens and revel in having survived the breakup
