spring's shy entry

When I first moved to Oakland in 1988 what struck me was that seasons were so subtle I wasn't sure they even existed. Coming from the East Coast where seasons slap you around, Northern California's weather appeared to come in two ways. Dry and Wet.

In winter I could go to bed looking out at a leafless tree and the next day, after a saturating rain, that very tree had leaves dense like an Afro. In the summer greenery became as brittle as my over-dyed punk rock hair.

After living in Napa from 1997-2000 I became much more in tune with just how this coast's seasons differ from the other. Wine Country has four distinct seasons with plenty of time to watch and feel them creep in.

Spring, as a personality, is soft and quiet and shy. Demure. Confident, but not cocky. Squinting is the best way to see spring clearly. A massive tree's branches sprout tiny tightly folded, furrowed leaf buds. The effect is a wash of watercolor nascent green. Young leaves tender and fragile unfold slowly, almost imperceptibly.

An empty tree is suddenly filled with cottony blossoms which exclaim upon arrival and magically give way to leaves who take over painting a tree which appears to be growing cotton candy. Rain lashes this way and that and in the morning tiny butterfly petals stick like translucent childish laughter.

Spring is the opening curtain. It beckons us outside like sleepy bears, hungry for warmth in the bright sunshine and the promise of tiny red fruits. Bulbs push through snow diligently and persevere in frosty nights fooling unbelieving eyes and nostrils.

Coy, spring is fleeting glitter.  She passes through two harsh seasons quietly. She is sensual and affectionate but non-committal. Slippery like a fish. Iridescent, effervescent.

Comments

[Hungry Hippo]

Shuna--
Beautiful post. I've been a longstanding fan of Spring, regardless of its temperament (East vs. West coast), and I feel as though you've completely captured its coquettish nature.

Also...happy birthday and many happy returns for the coming year!

[TBTAM]

Beautiful!

[Elise]

Dearest Shuna,

When will we be seeing a book from you? "...where the seasons slap you around." I just soak up your writing and only want more...