I wrote this poem last spring, just before Purim, which came in late March. It is slightly edited, to end on a more upbeat note. We acknowledge spring during our Seders, so it feels connected to Passover as well. Wishing you meaningful holidays and strength of spirit. Enjoy spring!— KZA

With thoughts of Esther 9:16 and Genesis 4:10

They disposed of their enemies, killing seventy-five thousand of their foes. 

Skunk cabbage flowers are popping up in wooded wetlands.

In 2023, 2300 people in the US were killed by extreme heat climate events.

Salamanders and frogs are beginning their springtime migration on warm, rainy nights.

As of March, 48,500 men, women, and children are dead in Gaza.

Sap is rising in the sugar maples on warm sunny days.

During the 14-year-long Syrian civil war, 620,000 people were slaughtered.

Golden catkin tassels are blooming on hazelnut trees.

No one is counting how many are murdered around the world by climate change.

Crocuses are bringing color to sheltered spots of urban yards.

Your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.

Red-wing blackbirds are trilling springtime songs from leafless treetops.

Spring and death are here.

May we choose spring.

“Spring” was first published by New Verse News.