Poetry prompt from Tweetspeak Poetry Press using writing exercises from Mary Oliver’s book, How To Write A Poem. My poem is based on the prompt using a poem by Stevens, Snow Man.

One must be a mind of spring
To feel the rich coolness in the air
And the ground unearthed

To behold the Ozark hills adorned
Sprinkled in spring pinks and service whites
And hold their softness in your arms

To be out and about roaming
Walking boldly among the blossoms
Feeling each new petal and young green leaf

And in April still breathing in pollen storms
While braving the weather forecasts anyway
To walk through the back hollows

Go down by the creek rock springs
And watch the clear waters flow
Then hunt for morels undeneath an old elm tree

Sit in wonder at a mountain lake
To see the sunlight play
And watch the southeast winds hit water tops
Making new disappearing wind-fans

One must have a spring mind
To know what is new
And to find their roots again