Mariupol

At the end of February on the very day when Ukraine was invaded, there arose the first Galanthus nivalis above ground in Virginia. Each year at points just breaching the snow, he would wonder if the snowdrop buds were hot, and think of Lviv, Kyiv and Mariupol.

And Bucha.

And Irpin.

There were a succession of frogs that would likewise make themselves known.

There were six or seven species all in good time and order, but only one was early.

You would never see the wood frogs first in February.

There would be a branch overhanging the pond, and a large hawk would scrutinize the vernal pools for signs of movement.

You would see the hawk before you would see the frogs, with their unheard of ability to survive frozen solid.

…

America is fond of naming commemorative months.

It was Day 1437 of Ukraine History Month.

Another four months and it would exceed the 1567 days it took to extinguish the First World War a century earlier on much the same ground…

Galanthus, despite the bitter February both here and there, would bloom again.

I could never again think of that, without thinking this.