loving art, science and creative kids

Spring Has Sprung

When I was a kid I remember reading a poem that went like this:

Spring has spring 

the grass is riz

I wonder where 

my jacket is.

Every spring those words pop into my mind when with the first flower that peeks through the ground.  I tried to discover who wrote the verse and came up with a big zero. Though often attributed to Ogden Nash or ee cummings, the poem has roots that go back further in time to an anonymous author.

Spring is sprung, the grass is riz,

I wonders where the birdies is.

They say the birds is on the wing.

Ain’t that absurd?

I always thought the wing was on the bird.

There is my favorite adaptation in Arnold Silcock’s Verse and Worse.

The Budding Bronx 

Der spring is sprung 

Der grass is riz 

I wonder where dem boidies is? 

Der little boids is on der wing, 

Ain't dat absoid? 

Der little wings is on de boid!

And then -  attributed to Ogden Nash though I can’t find proof.

Spring has newly sprung

the hills are full of grass

and along comes a billy-goat

 sliding on his overcoat down the summer pass. 

Whatever the words, they carry the joy, laughter and beauty of springtime and with it a reminder of the earth’s rebirth and the possibility of starting anew and having a second chance. 

 So often I dwell on problems confronting society that I forget that the universe is in a constant state of transition.  I have to remind myself that political movements are cyclical, that family crises peak and somehow get resolved, and that those who help others are honored in return.  Since time does not stand still and the earth will be here long after I am gone, I can only hope there are wise land stewards who will enable my great, great grandchildren to enjoy the boidies and see that the grass is riz.  Or perhaps we can't wait for others to do the job but all must look inward and ask ourselves if we are doing our part to care for the environment.  

http://www.answers.com/Q/Who_wrote_'Spring_has_sprung_grass_has_ris_I_wonder_where_the_birdies_is' - sources for spring has sprung.

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