Ruth Ayres invites us the celebrate each week. Click over to her site Discover. Play. Build. to read more celebrations.
Today by Billy Collins
If ever there were a spring day so perfect,
so uplifted by a warm intermittent breezethat it made you want to throw
open all the windows in the houseand unlatch the door to the canary’s cage,
indeed, rip the little door from its jamb,a day when the cool brick paths
and the garden bursting with peoniesRead the rest here.
Today was just this kind of day. Open the doors and windows and let spring come in. The weather in South Louisiana has been incessant rain for two weeks. The sun finally came out. Every green thing is happy. The birds are happy. The dogs are happy.
This morning our local humane society, Angel Paws, had a dog walk in the park. Charlie loves other dogs. He enjoyed meeting new friends. He got a Cane’s kerchief and is wearing it still.
I watched a group of girls climb a huge live oak. I ran into friends and other children that I know. A great community event to enjoy a beautiful spring day.
I found this poem I wrote after Billy Collins in the spring of 2011. I have to say this is my favorite time of year.
Burst into Spring
**After Billy Collins, Today
If ever there was a spring day so perfect,
so stirred up by a cool crisp windthat you wanted to breathe more often
to taste the wisteria blossoms,and throw open all the doors,
lift them clear off the hinges,a day so bright the pink azaleas
pop open like a birthday balloon bouquet,seemed so delightful that you felt like
running naked among them,released from all inhibitions taking flight
outstretched arms playing airplane,so you could fly on steady wings
balanced for lift and drinking nectar,yes, you can imagine it,
today is just that kind of day.
Yesterday my daughter was texting me pictures from New Orleans of an airplane painting words of hope in the sky. She told me it was a response to the unrest in Baltimore. We should all write our hope into the sky.
Reflections on the Teche 
Your post provides needed air to help lift our hearts. Love the waterlogue picture. I bought the app. So worth the $!
I think I like your poem better than Billy’s, Margaret, “pop open like a birthday balloon bouquet,”. But I am also sad because his poem reminded me that because of the trip I think I’ll miss my peonies. They’re just ready! Love all the pictures, & that sky pic is hopeful. What an awful time it has been in Baltimore. I would hope that everyone would be talking in their own communities ‘before’ something like this happens.
Writing words of hope in the sky?!?!?! What is better than that!!!!
Margaret, your post and poem are filled with the spirit of a bright spring day that offers us so much hope. If we could breathe in the fresh air each day to rid the world of stagnation and unrest, it would be a great moment in life. Thank you for giving the gift of hope to me this day.
We had one of those days yesterday too – absolutely beautiful. It was my daughter’s graduation and we couldn’t have asked for a better day to “throw open all the windows” to the future. If I could write my hope in the sky today, it would be possibility! Lovely poems. I have been so busy, I have missed being here and reading your words. Have a great Sunday!
That’s the magic of Spring – and both you and Billy Collins captured that essential freshness and sense of new hopes perfectly.
Yesterday was the perfect day, wasn’t it? I love both of the poems you shared and the picture from your daughter is so amazing. We need more of that!
Jennifer