April is my favorite spring month, and if I were a poet, I'd write an entire book of poems, just about her. But I'm not a poet, so I'll try to convey my feelings in prose. The problem is, when I'm totally mesmerized by something, I find it hard to express it. The words never come out the way I'd like them to; the way I really feel inside of me where April poems lurk.
April pleasures in the woods are ethereal and fleeting. They are gone in the blink of an eye. Just yesterday, it seems, the beautiful rosy flowers of Eastern Redbud's gleamed along the edges of the woods, today they're purple confetti on top of the leaf mold. But today, the Flowering Dogwoods take their turn in the lovely procession of spring in the woods, and I gaze at them at length, and record their beauty with my digital camera. Soon, the tiny, praying leaves of the dogwood will be fully grown, along with the heart-shaped leaves of the redbud, and the lushness of May will bring on headier pleasures.
Ah, but in April the meandering brook that hides in these woods, as it winds its way through mossy trees, gurgles pleasantly, as I sit on its bank. All around me, new growth is springing up, even while I sit there, and a box turtle basks in a sunny spot, and lets me pet his speckled head without retreating into his house. The three dogs that accompany me on my April treks, run off to explore the woods, while Jake, my cat-buddy, sits on a hollowed out log, and grooms himself. He enjoys these treks, too, but usually complains loudly on the way back to the house, until I pick him up and carry him. Then he purrs the rest of the way, while I huff and puff, carrying a ten pound feline, and a heavy camera as well!
After a while, the dogs come back to check on me, and satisfied that I'm okay, run off again. Their April pleasures are different than mine. They're hoping to find the gray fox again, that lives in these woods, and chase him up a tree, while I'm only hoping to find the newest wildflowers that have popped up since yesterdays visit.
The lovely, delicate Rue Anemone has been blooming along this little brook since early April. Soon, the equally lovely Toothwort and Spring Beauty have joined it, and by mid-month the common Wood Violets are adding some color to the banks of the brook. Hairy Buttercups are peeking out as well, and the beautiful Dame's Rocket, and Blue Phlox are swaying in the breeze, while the hillside across the brook is covered with blooming May Apples now. Lush carpets of bright green mosses break up the monotony of dry brown leaves, too, and tender ferns are cropping up everywhere. I was thinking of having a little cabin built back here, but then decided it's best to leave this special spot as undisturbed as possible. I wouldn't want that cabin to displace some lovely wildflower that grows here.
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