Harbingers

Day 127: Almost! I think I find the snowdrops' pendent buds more pleasurable to the eye than their fully-opened flowers. They hint at the broadening of daylight and warmer breezes, the retreat of snow from the rolling foothills, and dare to suggest by their pure white that more raucous, rambunctious colour is yet to come in the garden and the alpine meadows. They are the toe in the doorway of winter, peddling the wares of a brighter and festive spring. Ahead of the grape hyacinths and daffodils by weeks, they sprint through the winner's tape unchallenged, in a clear victory over frost and cold. Cheer the humble snowdrop as it dispels grey, lumbering clouds and calls out to the sun. Hurrah for the harbingers of spring!