Springtime: A Collaborative Post

featuring poetry by Taylor Blayse Rockley and Abbi Bodager

An original painting by Taylor’s grandpa, Terry Cochran

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Hi, everyone! As some of you may remember, several months ago Taylor and I collaborated on a post to usher in the summer season. With springtime just around the corner, we’re excited to share two new pieces about daffodils, sunshine, and all the other little symbols of hope that can be glimpsed during this time of year. We hope our words encourage you, and serve as a reminder that brighter days are coming!

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The Daffodils are Blooming   

If you asked me about home,  
I would first tell you of spring.   

I would describe the thick scent of soil, 
or the rhythmic trill of early morning birdsong, sounding 
the opening tune we all know by heart.    

I would recall those first fragrant winds 
which carried with them  
the sweet scent of the magnolia blooming.   

I would swoon over the color green, 
and as we drive down every winding Missouri road,  
I would point out the window, 
“Look! Isn’t it something?”
 So fresh and bright and new.   

I would tell you not to blink, or you might miss 
the dogwoods flickering their white flowers between 
every still and barren tree in the woods.   

I would ask you to follow me.   

Let’s sit in the long-awaited evening sun; 
let’s squint our eyes and lift our hands and settle into  
the warmth on our skin. 

Under the poplar tree, the daffodils are blooming.  
I lean in close as they whisper, 
His mercies are made new every morning.

—Taylor Blayse Rockley

Author’s Note: Outside my childhood home, there’s a poplar tree that towers above the mailbox and the road. Every year, underneath it, I find the first signs of spring: a few small patches of daffodils blooming. After feeling like I haven’t been able to draft a poem in months, I saw those daffodils one day and a line popped into my head: “under the poplar tree, the daffodils are blooming.” That line was the spark that led to the rest of the poem as I explored all the things I love about spring.

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

Good Morning, Garden

Good morning, garden,
asleep beneath your brown blanket.

I know it’s been a long winter
and you’ve forgotten the sun’s soft fingers,
the sound of children braiding flowers,
how strawberries taste like swallowing the sunrise.

But look, the Gardener is coming
to whisper your name and tend to your sorrows.
He reaches deep into the earth,
calling forth daffodils and green growing things.

His hands are tender and firm 
as He shapes His masterpiece.
And slowly the fields come alive
with the gentle hum of spring. 

—Abbi Bodager

Author’s Note: Lately, many of my poems have been inspired by concepts or excerpts from my favorite authors. The idea for “Good Morning, Garden” came as I was reminded of this quote from The Return of the King by J.R.R. Tolkien. During difficult seasons, the heaviness can feel all-consuming, and joyful things like strawberries and flowers become distant memories. And yet, spring is a miracle that blossoms year after year, regardless of what my loved ones and I are facing. This piece nudges me to open my eyes to the resurrection Story unfolding all around, and give thanks to our Gardener who makes all things new.

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