Springing crocuses

Spring has finally arrived in upstate New York.

The snow piles aren't totally gone yet but

there is enough open for the crocuses to pop.

My walking, pushing the baby stroller,

was very slow as I kept pulling the camera out.

Here are some of the results:

THE CROCUS
Harriet Beecher Stowe

Beneath the sunny autumn sky, 

With gold leaves dropping round, 

We sought, my little friend and I, 

The consecrated ground, 

Where, calm beneath the holy cross, 

O'ershadowed by sweet skies, 

Sleeps tranquilly that youthful form, 

Those blue unclouded eyes. 

Around the soft, green swelling mound 

We scooped the earth away, 

And buried deep the crocus-bulbs 

Against a coming day. 

"These roots are dry, and brown, and sere; 

Why plant them here?" he said, 

"To leave them, all the winter long, 

So desolate and dead." 

"Dear child, within each sere dead form 

There sleeps a living flower, 

And angel-like it shall arise 

In spring's returning hour." 

Ah, deeper down cold, dark, and chill 

We buried our heart's flower, 

But angel-like shall he arise 

In spring's immortal hour. 

In blue and yellow from its grave 

Springs up the crocus fair, 

And God shall raise those bright blue eyes, 

Those sunny waves of hair. 

Not for a fading summer's morn, 

Not for a fleeting hour, 

But for an endless age of bliss, 

Shall rise our heart's dear flower.