Monday, March 3, 2008

On the Brink of Spring



You know the scene in The Wizard of Oz after Dorothy's house lands in Oz? She tiptoes to the front door, Toto in her arms, trembling. Then she opens the door, backs away. The music starts and suddenly, the film is no longer sepia and white (it's not really black and white, is it?) From that moment on, the story unfolds in serious, flaming technicolor. I think that's when she says, "Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore."

You know the scene, yes? Yes. Well, that's exactly what spring is like in DC. Almost overnight we move from the monochromatic light, the stark shadows and the stillness that's always a part of winter into a landscape of color, shape, and birdsong. Oh, and sneezing, too, since the pollen count in DC is truly staggering. It's all worth it, though, especially since Claritin became available over the counter.

In just the last few days, the trees are no longer stark and angular. They look hairy or blurry around the tips of the twigs. There's an aura around them, too, a stirring feeling like someone waking up after a long sleep. The birds have resumed their choir practice, beginning before dawn and continuing until at least 10:00 a.m. Bulb flowers are beginning to push their green leaves out of the earth, forsythias are showing their bright yellow blooms, the doves are cooing on every block of Capitol Hill. Oh yeah, spring is just about to pop any second now.

I've retrieved my sneakers from their hiding place deep in my closet, as well as lighter jackets. It's supposed to get up to 70 degrees today, and though I'll be working, I'm sure I'll be able to connect with the upwards moving energy.

Spring is gorgeous in DC, it's unnerving in its intensity, vivifying nevertheless because there is so much life force in the season.

L'chaim, ya'all and happy spring!

8 comments:

Barbara said...

The top photo belongs in your "Four Seasons" show, yes? You can have Vivaldi playing in the background.

Gary said...

Thanks for the video and clearing up the line "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore" because a student made a wonderful picture of the characters from The Wizard of Oz and I was wondering what that line was. It is currently my featured artwork. Once again, we are thinking along the same lines. Kisses!

Lynne said...

How cool that the Wizard of Oz is being re-released!

We currently don't have many signs of Spring ... yet. But the birds are singing once again in the morning; a sure sign. We still have some snow on the ground but you can almost feel the optimism in the air ... and when it snows it doesn't really have the same oompf that it did a month ago.

Unknown said...

I know exactly what you mean about the way the light and energy changes, I remember from our spring back in September, October. Relish and enjoy it, it's a wonderful time of year, full of burgeoning life.

There's a little something for you over at my place.

R.L. Bourges said...

yes, that's what it's been like over in in part of the world since just before Bridgid's Holiday. The wild almond and plum trees are already starting to shed their blossoms. Enjoy the energy, Reya.

Bobby D. said...

I see our daffodil shoots are 6 inches tall, and our forsythia is wanting to burst, but I still long for a decent snow, as we didn't get our snowstorm this winter and had too many 70 degree days in Jan and Feb. Today it is very spring-like with the rains, March 4th-- if global warming continues, I will have to move to Canada!

Reya Mellicker said...

Canada will be the new breadbasket, along with Siberia. Buy now, before property prices go through the roof!

lettuce said...

wonderful photo - its like that in london at the moment. tho spring tends to be a prolonged process over here - at the moment, it could go either way!