By Berta Winiker

I’ll start my rounds very soon,  making my way from one garden bed to another.

Scratching away at leaf litter with my itchy fingers.

I know that shoots don’t need my help but I can’t seem to put the brakes on.

I’ll be eager to do some raking but I’m sensitive to my own covers being yanked off too soon.

There’ll come a time when a daily check is not enough and I’ll set out restlessly performing status updates morning and evening.

I spy crocus and jonquil. The tulips seem to come earlier each year. Do they anticipate my eagerness to get this show on the road?

I have new blue barn boots bedecked with bees and daisies. I’ll be sporting them on my rounds.