Lilies of the Covenant

© January 27, 2008 by Norman Stolpe

Texas January yard chores done,
The last red oak leaf sacks are gone.
St. Augustine grass dormant brown –
The lilies’ first green sprout is up,

Pushing off the withered winter stems.
“Way too soon!” my northern clock chimes.
Eight years now, I have seen them come –
These premature perennials.

“Restore my dry and frozen heart,
Packed hard and worn by many feet,
Fragile root hairs between the grit
And pebbles of my stifled work.

Am I more stubborn than the soil
That cannot stop a sprouting seed?
Relentless Spring, restore my soul!
By your steadfast love make me glad.”