Consider the snowdrop
How it toils through barren months,
withstands snow and frost with alchemy
of proteins and alkaloids in its sap.
How it forges lance-shaped leaves
hard-tipped to pierce frozen earth,
gifts fresh growth to shaded places.
How it bids, with petalled grace,
a white farewell to winter, nods
towards the green-fringed spring.
Iris Anne Lewis is widely published. She has been featured in the Silver Branch Series of Black Bough Poetry, won 1st prize in Gloucestershire Poetry Society competition and has frequently been invited to read her work at the Cheltenham Literary Festival. Twitter: @IrisAnneLewis