Air heavy and thick, 

clinging to sticky skin, I 

follow the road, 

listening.

To

Lilly's dancing feet on 

wet pavement and

jingle of leash and collar 

clinking and 

zipping from retractable string.

And

also to the

silence of the birds and my footsteps heavy.

The sky is grey, cloudy,

muck licking me sick and

weighing down my shoulders--

I wonder.

When these dreary weather days will

end, when 

warm and sun will overtake every-thing and

rain and dreary days 

might become something else entirely:

an

occasional 

gift?

I close my eyes and

breathe in that-rain-smell, 

thick, filling, draining, all the same.

But then!

I see it! the 

smallest glimpse amid 

soggy grass squish!

Two bright honey blooms,

Stretching tall, three to four

Sun-petals bouncing, radiating shine where sun ceases!

Yes, finally! 

Lilly paws twirl, my mouth-corners release into smile, 

a deep breath, 

at

first sign of spring-coming.