Before snowdrops
before the crocuses
tipsided in a rainstorm
before the forsythia
spills forth
out of a winter closet
the first alive thing unpacked
after the overlong tour of winter
isn’t a flower,
but the low sigh of return,
dulcet, disconsolate.
Jeanne Obbard received her bachelor’s degree in feminist and gender studies from Bryn Mawr College, and works in clinical research. She was granted a Leeway Seedling Award for Emerging Artists in 2001, and attended the Greater Philadelphia Wordshop Studio and the 24PearlStreet Workshop. Her work has previously appeared in American Poetry Review, Anderbo, Atlanta Review, EDGE, Philadelphia Poets, Philadelphia Stories, Rathalla Review, and the anthology Prompted.