Our region in Western New York is a very special place! With its magnificent rolling hills, expansive beautiful valleys, and majestic lake plains …. our region stands out as a wonderland of nature.

With our four seasons of the year, there is something very special about our region … be it summer, fall, winter and spring. We have now entered that bountifully flourishing season which follows the cold winter weather. The following poem, which I have written, sets the downbeat, tone, score, pitch, and cadence … figuratively speaking of course … for the appreciation of the wonderfully dynamic season we call “spring.”

NATURE’S ORCHESTRA

Natures’ orchestra assembled for the downbeat

For the spring season to begin with the score.

Each orchestral section was readied with precision

For the harmony of spring- sounds all galore!

The leaves on trees have been clearly awakened

As sap returned from their roots to their prime.

And the leafy lace on trees made their appearance

Dressed for the melodious awakening of spring time.

The spring flowers sprouted from their winter-like nesting

With purple crocus and white snowdrops all sublime.

And daffodils and yellow forsythia were dressed in royal colors

As they awaited the downbeat for budding time.

The return of the birds from their winter vacation-land

We anxiously awaited, the first sign that they’re here.

As we listened for their chirping at morning’s sunrise

And their symphonic melodies of musical cheer.

The farmers and gardeners anxiously awaited

To turn the soil over, having it ready … and in prime.

For the season’s planting of new spring-time seedlings

With the conductor’s downbeat signaling “it’s time.”

This is the score for the concert we have awaited

For the orchestra to begin its colorful composition.

For the notes were there … and the downbeat was given

For their magnificent spring-time symphonic rendition.

— RLH

Dr. Robert L. Heichberger is a resident of Gowanda and Distinguished Service Professor at SUNY Fredonia.