Sunflowers In The Snow

These silk flowers were planted a couple of months ago in a worn wooden window box outside of the Great Harvest Bread Company on Third Street. Saturday morning found them covered in several inches of cold, damp snow. Two of them seemed to shake it off long enough to smile at me cheerfully as I walked by. But they knew, and I knew, it wasn't really Summer. They called to my mind images of warmer mornings not too long ago, when I walked past here on my way to coffee without even a hint of acknowledgement or appreciation for their bright color. I felt a little sorry about that as I passed, and shook the snow from one or two other blooms in an attempt at a feeble apology for my carelessness.

I don't thrive in this weather. I find myself shivering in the painfully cold air. I miss the gentle warmth of another season, and I can't help waking up every morning hoping that Spring will come early!