flutter butter

kids’ speak ‘flutter bys’

became ‘butterflies’ bringing

warm, adult smiles

long drive to dinner

 touched with laughter

party of five extended family

and loved friend

elegant meal overlooking

misted ocean

well worth the hour and a half

drive to the coast

warm day finally

a warm day, finally

even my light sweater shed

as we walked by the little shops

in old town McMinnville

delighting that spring gives

promise that hard winter

is at last letting go

december’s first

white bits so small, not qualifying

as flakes but mere sparkles

but persistent

white bits joining, growing, falling

as snowy individuals causing

raised eyebrows in surprise

then frowns of scrutiny to be sure

then smiles and whispers of discovery

as neighbor tells neighbor

“It’s snowing!”