#first flowers

I met the first bees this year today

The weather birds had said that a big storm was on the way at the end of the week – in fact they were calling it a "weather bomb", which Algy thought sounded most undesirable and unpleasant.

Concerned lest his favourite patch of snowdrops might fall victim to this bombing by the weather, Algy decided to inspect and encourage them while it was still calm. It was another dark grey day, but as he perched on the bare ground among the hardy flowers, a wee gleam of low light made them sparkle and shine in a most delightful way, and he was thrilled to see that in addition to the clumps that were flowering, there were many self-seeded baby snowdrop leaves pushing up through the soil beneath the bushes, to bring even more flowers in future years.

Of course snowdrops always reminded Algy of a famous poem by Wordsworth, but he could hardly agree that they were like an unbidden guest, for he waited eagerly for their appearance every year…

Lone Flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they But hardier far, once more I see thee bend Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend, Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day, Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay The rising sun, and on the plains descend; Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May Shall soon behold this border thickly set With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers; Nor will I then thy modest grace forget, Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring, And pensive monitor of fleeting years!