March's Lovely Death Throws

I emerge from the canopy of cherry blossoms
into the flurry of massive conjoined snowflakes

I am wet and desire nothing more
The cold defines me intimately
with no malice nor rancor
I am completely aware of March
as the chrysalis of Spring

I work my way along the byways
hoping for sun later
but not now
Now the snow and cherry petals
and cold faced clouds
are bracing and affirming
affirming that my struggles are not in vain
that my effort defines a life
a life of growth and vitality

I am tired
but alive
living and burning down
to the radiant end

not marching like a resigned soldiery
not kicking like the shaven headed inmate
not shuffling like the plebeian cannon fodder
condemned to a neutered and gentrified tranquility

I feel today the Spring emotions
running like a bear or an ocelot
through me
a solitary predator
on the line
stretched thin between
the point of fervent survival
and indulgent self possession