The Colour Of Early Spring Poem by Mark Heathcote

I have on the colour of early spring
A green raspberry that won't just burst or ping
I am a rosebud-my-mama would sing
And if you listen, carefully
A song thrush binds a twig with the wind
And a serpent drops her serpent armour
But is no less a sneak, a cheat, a liar
But even so, all the traitors love her.

I have on the colour of early spring
Sure as mint green hostas attract vine weevils
And are eaten by deer, rabbits and slugs
I am exclusively only yours
And if you love me, you will hover like a kingfisher on the wing
Because moreover, I'm not yet, ready-for-opening
I'm not the village bike
Or a turnpike you can later hate with compensating spite.

I have on the colour of early spring
I am a rose-bud-my mama would sing
I'm not a roll in the clover.
I am a Green Hairstreak butterfly.
All you male butterflies can spiral away in flight
Because I'm not ready for egg laying
And anyways I've chosen my mate
But he doesn't know he's already 2hrs late.