Before sunrise many will congregate
outside the church in utter silence, 
all eyes uplifted towards the steeple—
clerks, merchants, butchers, bakers 
mingle with bankers and lawyers,
the mayor amongst them, standing alone. 

The time of their lives is about to change.
Now that winter’s waned, spring  
should be promising  a warm welcome
for kindred spirits who kept out
of harm’s way by staying indoors.
And so, as the town stirs, windows
open, streets become walkable, 
fountains blooming in every plaza.

The vigil lasts until first light.
By then bells ring free of the icy grip 
that had stilled their tongues.
Crystal clear they chime, a blessing
upon those beholden
to the season’s better nature.