Today I should have seen my shadow. Sunshine glistens on the frost, the sky is clear and pale blue, and the air icily fresh. But I’m staying indoors, as I’m unwell.
I have put my trust in the snowdrops, which promise me faithfully that spring is on its way. I’ve seen them. The small ones under the willow tree are already blossoming, while the bigger ones are just shoots and leaves; they bloom much later.
The cats and I will keep warm together, while the snowdrops perform their spring magic.
many miles away
groundhogs hide away from snow
here, snowdrops sparkle
Kim M. Russell, 3rd February 2025
Once again it’s Haibun Monday at the dVerse Poets Pub, where Frank has us celebrating Groundhog Day, an American, weather-predicting tradition with Northern European roots. I have to admit that I didn’t know anything about it until I saw the film with Bill Murray and, even then, I didn’t understand what it was all about. So thank you, Frank, for explaining it so well in this prompt.

Just a few more weeks, then winter will lose its grip.
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I hope so. It has been known to snow at Easter here.
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Here too. This year Easter is late so I am hoping it’s at least a little warmer. The churches in town are collaborating this year on an Easter Sunrise service.
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You already have snowdrops… they are weeks away still …
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We do. I love that we have so many in our garden.
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Kim, I hope you feel better soon ❤ Love it that you are seeing the spring magicians.
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Thank you so much, Lisa. I went to the doctor this morning and she said it’s a viral infection that’s currently doing the rounds. It’s horrible. But the snowdrops cheered me up.
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You’re very welcome.
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I love your snowdrops, Kim! I’ve never seen any here.
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There are some places around here that are covered in them. Last Sunday was snowdrop day at the Old Vicarage Gardens, but I was too ill to go.
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I’m so sorry you haven’t been feeling well, Kim! I hope it’s nothing serious.
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Thank you, Nolcha. It’s a virus that has been going round, which I probably picked up last Tuesday, the day I went to the dentist. I met my husband in a cafe afterwards, the perfect place for viruses. At least I’m not being sick anymore.
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I’m so glad you recovered quickly! The older we get, the easier it is to get sick.
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Still not fully operational, but I am eating again.
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He saw his shadow.😭
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Does the prediction count across the whole of the USA or is it just in the one place? We often get the tail end of your extreme weather.
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I’ll look into that.😅
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I hope you feel better soon, Kim! I believe those snowdrops are a sign of God’s faithfulness thru the seasons 🙂
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Thank you, Lynn!
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I feel your aspiration for an early Spring, Kim! Hang in there!
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Thank you, Frank!
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To see a flower of any kind would lift my spirits. The ground is covered with snow. Hope you feel better.
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Thank you, Truedessa.
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I love your haibun Kim. Who knew it originated with Candelmas. Not me either! It’s a fun tradition here and I just think those groundhogs are so cute! ☺️💕
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Thanks Christine!
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Lovely start…snowdrops are a far more civilised way of welcoming spring…..hope recovery is happening, seems quite long…
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Thank you, Ain.
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Nice one Kin
much♡live
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Thanks Gillena.
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How ironic that a sign of Spring is a lovely flower called “snowdrops”. A lovely haibun except I am sorry to hear you’ve not been well. Take care, Kim.
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Thank you kindly, Mish.
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Beautifully written, Kim. Stay warm… cuddle up with the kittens!
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Thank you, Dwight!
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Such a lovely lament about the wistfulness of winter and the hopefulness for the magic of spring on the way.
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Thanks so much, Kim!
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A lovely poem, Kim. It catches the spirit of the longing for spring that is entrenched in the groundhog superstition.
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Thank you, Robbie!
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My pleasure
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Great poem, Kim! Sending healing energy your way…
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thank you so much, Yvette.
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S
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Beautiful read Kim and the haiku a delight.
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Thank you, Paul.
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Very welcome Kim
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