My February Gardening Song

[Verse 1] Kettle clicks off Mug in my hand Frost on the glass like sugar on sand Hat by the door Scarf on the chair Two old coats in a pile there [Verse 2] Layer up Look like a walking quilt Woollen mitts and rubber gloves Breath in clouds on the cottage step Path still slick But I won’t slip [Chorus] If I’m not on top by the seventeenth I’ll be chasing weeds all year In my dreams So I’m out here as soon as I can Boots in the cold Turning last year’s stories into soil and gold Oh I shuffle and I huff till my fingers sting Just to make a little space for spring [Verse 3] Old brown stalks in a tangled mess Snails tucked tight in their winter dress soggy leaves pile in a wobbling heap Robin hops close like a secret we keep [Pre-Chorus] Heart starts racing Coat unzipped Wool hat crooked Hair half slipped Can’t feel toes but I feel alive Whole small world on the edge of life [Chorus] If I’m not on top by the seventeenth I’ll be chasing weeds all year In my dreams So I’m out here as soon as I can Boots in the cold Turning last year’s stories into soil and gold Oh I shuffle and I huff till my fingers sting Just to make a little space for spring [Bridge] Then the sweat on my neck And I laugh out loud Gloves off Steam like a tiny cloud First green spears where the dark earth breaks Yellow buds from the bulbs I placed [Chorus] If I’m not on top by the seventeenth I’ll be chasing weeds all year In my dreams But I’m out here smiling Warmed by the work New shoots shining through the thawing soil. I shuffle and I sing while the blackbird looks on. I just love this little wash and brush up for spring.