Too Soon for Spring

The rain stopped

And the spring crept in without a word

on a late January day in California 

I took the dog for a walk at the park

where he nuzzled his head in clover 

and kicked at the grass and dirt 

The kids at peewee soccer camp

dribbled the ball towards the cookie jar net 

as the coach called out directions

Boys and girls, who had shed their coats,

swung high on swings or slid down slides

as moms and dads in short-sleeved tops chatted in the wings

I still had on long tights and a winter coat

Too warm in the sun

Too bright without some shades

The spring day too much for my heavy heart