Herald of Spring As the last snows melt into the ground, From high above, echoing wingbeats sound. A speck of red against the clearing skies, The robin lives even as winter dies. A herald of spring, the robin summons life, Plants that could not live in winter's strife. Animals leave their cold-weather homes; The winter's grasp releases, lets them roam. Its job done, the robin flies away, And as its handiwork I survey, I know it will return another day. Brittany Hadden