Today is the first day of spring, blown in by a warm and gusty nor’westerly wind, as if to say, “Take that, winter! Your time is over.” Here are five haiku inspired by the day.
Ngā koru
Swirls of yellow pollen
ripple in winter’s
vanishing puddles.
Te rā
Sunshine filters through
branches still winter-bare.
Wind rattles a welcome.
Kākāriki
Bright against dark soil,
leaves unfurl and
quest toward the sun.
Ngā puaka
Heads nod to the breeze—
frills of yellow, white, purple—
decked out in Sunday’s best.
Mahi māra
Cracked nails underlined with dirt. Hands pressed to the Earth’s heartbeat.

