Cold is today this start of spring,
In which I don´t delight,
and yet defies the frosty king
the winter aconite!

This flower greets us with a smile
that warms us through and through,
it makes this time of cold worthwhile,
reviving us anew!

The blackbird knows how to rejoice
right in the icy air,
and soon we´ll hear its noble voice,
for singing it has flair!

We Californian sunshine had,
the grace of Christ we met,
but here with warmth my soul made glad
a tender violet!

O, do you know how poor you are,
if you don´t see His hand
in every distant, sparkling star
or in the spring on land?

March 1, 2011
-jn