Almost

and yes, I still gathered branches,
and yes, I still wore my woollen coat,
but it was unbuttoned, no scarf

and yes, my skin still raised in surprise,
and yes, the sky still heralded rain,
but the sun was a paintbrush, not a scalpel

and yes, many branches were still bare
but tight buds were gently unspooling
and the grass rioted in damson and mustard

and yes, warmer and more expansive days
were diving towards me on golden wings