PEEP!

February 5, 2008 at 1:10 PM

Sixty degrees on a day in February. In Cleveland. You'd better believe we are enjoying every second of it-- and apparently we humans are not the only ones.

Every Spring, I await with great anticipation the wonderful sounds of the tiny "peeper frog chorus" which can be heard in the wet places of the woods around my home. Their sound means happy, warmer times, longer daylight hours, flowers and leaves reappearing and the grass turning a brighter shade of green. Can the Barbecue grill be far behind?

Sometimes, when the winter weather gives way to a preview of Spring, the little peepers get a little---well, confused...

My friend George Hoy, Innkeeper of The Inn at Brandywine Falls (here in Ohio)has even written a poem about it:

THE ABSENT CHORUS:
--Thoughts held by the first, lone "Spring Peeper"

Peep.

One lone "peeper"; one plaintive call:
I'm alone. Where are they all?
The Chorus. The chorus. The steady din.
Why doesn't it begin?

Why am I alone out here?
Where are all the others?
Where are all the suitors?
The would-be dads and mothers?

I suppose I should be calm.
Wait until the needed balm
Of Sunshine, and warming rains
Enters many tiny brains.

And then, the chorus, thick and proud,
Will flood the evenings, singing loud.
And I'll find someone to seduce,
AND REPRODUCE!

PEEP

Happy day and may Spring come early!

From Bill Rose
Posted on February 5, 2008 at 8:59 PM

That sound is better than a sleeping pill for putting me to sleep on a summer night. Love the poem.

From Stephen Brivati
Posted on February 6, 2008 at 12:40 AM

Greetings,
David, I was a little concerned about the proximity of `barbecue,` and frogs in your writing. I hope you aren`t eating the poor things? (although my French frined assur eme it`s pretty much the same as chicken, albeit smaller)
Cheers,
Buri

From David Russell
Posted on February 6, 2008 at 2:52 AM

Ha! Buri,

Never much cared for the little leggy-things. They will stay safely away from my barbecue. However, beware all Portobellos... your days are numbered! :-)

From Pauline Lerner
Posted on February 6, 2008 at 8:22 AM

I'm always happy when I hear the peepers in the woods outside my home, too. Let's all hope for spring to come soon.

From Emily Grossman
Posted on February 6, 2008 at 11:08 PM

Aw, thanks for the warm wishes!

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