"If in April"

If in April

If in April snow still lies upon the ground

With icy patches on the path,

You slip and bruise your knee

But still can struggle up and say

"I know that Spring is on the way".

Then you've got guts, my dear.

And if a gale has roared for days

And all your shrubs have been uprooted

And half the fence has blown away,

So last year's gardening was all in vain,

Yet you can say "I'll start again".

Then you have pluck, my dear.

And if the rain is pouring down

And your garden's one gigantic puddle

With all your seedlings washed away,

But you can calmly say

"I'll have to sow again".

Then you are brave, my dear.

But if in April, inbetween the showers

You see a patch of bright blue sky

And smell the scent of newly opened flowers

And see the shoots are breaking on the bough

It's then I know that you will say

"Spring at last is here to stay".

Peggy Watkins (1920-2017)