assorted tulips and daffodils
first freeze came overnight
like a woman’s hard slap
on an unwashed face
but when the sun came up
unopposed
I knew it was going to be
a good day
I imagined little ones running ‘round
chattering like robins competing
to be heard
gathering resiny pine cones into
yellow buckets
stored in the garage as
dead-of-winter kindling
meanwhile atop the hill
I move about on hands and knees
digging up and dividing bulbs
replanting the baby ones
giving myself plenty of reasons
to make it through
another Iowa winter
october two thousand fifteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved
jdubqca 
The whole scene here is amazing, but I love that first analogy
Thank you so very much, Rose.
good one!
many thanks Bonnie!