A spring drabble

       Winter depleted my soul with its north-west winds, howling tempests bringing snow and sleet; it drained me of colour and desire. I became a shadow, a recluse, a haunting, seeking warmth by wood stoves, cocooning in quilts, never venturing abroad, held back by my need to hibernate away the months of bone-chilling cold. But then, subtly and softly, the sun broke through gray clouds, the monochromatic world blushed into brilliance once more: blue skies, green grass, purple crocuses; bees buzzed and birds sang. I emerged from my den and inhaled the smells of life around me and thought, “Welcome, Spring!”