“…just around the corner…”

What fun to read Arnold Lobel’s books Frog and Toad to my grandchildren. Yet I have to confess that as I read them, I do so, as much for myself as for those on my lap. Here we are at the beginning of March, surely spring is just around the corner. That was Frog’s thought, listen in carefully and enjoy.

“When I was small, said Frog, “my father said to me, ‘Son, this is a cold, gray day but spring is just around the corner.’ I wanted spring to come. I went out to find that corner. I walked down a path in the woods until I came to a corner. I went around the corner to see if spring was on the other side.” “And was it?” asked Toad. “No,” said Frog… “I walked in the meadow. Soon I came to another corner. I went around the corner to see if spring was there.” “Did you find it?” asked Toad.

And so we hope that spring is just around the corner. I hope you find it. But while you are looking, ponder this poem by James Wright, not because its special, but because its beautiful, and pay attention to the last two lines.

A Blessing by James Wright
Just off the highway to Rochester, Minnesota,
Twilight bounds softly forth on the grass.
And the eyes of those two Indian ponies
Darken with kindness.
They have come gladly out of the willows
To welcome my friend and me.
We step over the barbed wire into the pasture
Where they have been grazing all day, alone.
They ripple tensely, they can hardly contain their happiness   
That we have come.
They bow shyly as wet swans. They love each other.
There is no loneliness like theirs.   
At home once more,
They begin munching the young tufts of spring in the darkness.   
I would like to hold the slenderer one in my arms,
For she has walked over to me   
And nuzzled my left hand.   
She is black and white,
Her mane falls wild on her forehead,
And the light breeze moves me to caress her long ear
That is delicate as the skin over a girl’s wrist.
Suddenly I realize
That if I stepped out of my body I would break
Into blossom.

Prayer:
Abba,
Father
Hear my prayer
Abba,
Father
Renew my soul.
Your body O Lord
broken, yet it
blossomed
in resurrection.
Lead us onward to
Easter,
its not around the corner
its here, its now, always.
Amen.