Hedgerows shimmer,

iced in wind-blown blossom.

As blackthorn winter chills our bones

we know it should be warm -

buds have burst through winter skins.

Each spring it warns us -

in a pall of frosted petals -

that the winter wind still blows.

Blossom cloaks emerging berries,

protecting autumn’s bitter beauty

from the late Spring chill -

its cloud of dusky sloes.