Fresh green shoots wave in the soft dusk air.

Magnolia trees, cherry blossoms, daffodils, hyacinth, Oregon grape.

The sounds of dinner preparation through an open dutch door

Knives and forks, plates and cups create their own kind of chatter as the table is set.

I smile to myself and keep walking, sloping uphill towards the park that only last month was covered in fresh snow and sled tracks.

A man sits on his stoop with his shirt off,

Creatures everywhere molt,

Fur, feathers, winter feelings.

Layers shaken off and air on skin for the first time in recent memory

Passing strangers elicit shy smiles

The city is peeking it's head out of winter's burrow.

Sauvie Island, Collins beach