“Early Spring”
The “I Would Like to Be” Read-Aloud Poems
four of twenty poems
“Early Spring”
The Frog
It would do me good to be a frog
sitting still
and still
and still.
Waiting,
trusting,
that Life will bring by a fly
or a mosquito,
that what I need to live, Life will offer.
I’ll sit alert
and confident;
I’ll practice trusting
in Whatever created me.
I’ll take time
to feel the warm sunlight,
the softness of water,
to hear the sounds of Life:
the hum of dragonflies,
waves lapping on the shore,
wind rustling through reeds,
a splashing fish.
I’ll sit so quiet and alert
That I won’t miss a single moment
of my beautiful life.
I want to be a frog
learning to be quiet
and alert
and trusting.
***
Skunk Cabbage
What fun to be a skunk cabbage!
Smells are one of Life’s delights.
Out in the bog
I could be a big, big leaf
unfolding from the smallest center,
reeking through with greenness,
ever bigger,
richer,
smellier.
Life makes many dainty whispers through the woods;
but bursting through decay,
I’d boldly say that winter’s done!
I’d call to all the hibernating woods:
“Wake up! Wake up, you sleeping ones.
Come alive and feel and smell and play again.”
As a skunk cabbage
I’d chase away the doldrums
and wake the woods from trance.
***
Buttercup
Oh, I want to be a buttercup! A buttercup! A buttercup!
O warm richness!
O passionate color!
O enthusiasm for Life!
I’ll plant myself by a watery place
and laugh for joy.
I’ll glory in the singing birds,
the humming bees, the busy pesky flies,
the dancing breeze.
And the sun’s salvation,
“Relish in the warmth of sun!”
my shining saffron face will sing.
“And don’t forget enthusiasm, passion.
Dance, swim, listen, sing, love,
feel and sense.
Celebrate like me,”
I’ll laugh, the cheerful buttercup!
***
Jack-In-The Pulpit
It would be an honor to be a jack-in-the-pulpit,
oracle of the woods.
With my tri-leaf behind,
erect, serene,
I’ll wait.
From rich roots
through my straight stem
into my waiting cup
will flow wisdom from the Earth-Mother.
Whoever has the calm to sit before me,
to ask a question,
waiting,
to them I’ll speak,
and tell the truth.
Truth is solid ground,
fecund.
Standing straight and quiet I will speak.
Who sits up straight and calm and opens their own cup
will hear my thoughts.
We’ll nod to each respectfully,
and they’ll pass on,
while I will wait
to be again an oracle for Wisdom.
***