Signs of Spring in the air and on the trees by the river bank

Bare branches against the blue evening sky along the banks of Dodder, with tender signs of new life (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2014)

Patrick Comerford

The older trees look gnarled and almost skeletal after the winter storms that stripped them of almost every last green leaf.

But the skies were clear yesterday, with strong blue hues above, and the already the afternoon light is lasting a little longer, and the night skies are bright and starry.

As I set out from my office shortly before 5 yesterday afternoon, those blue skies looked deceptively bright, and I realised once again the joy of finishing the working day before daylight has completely vanished.

I strolled along the banks of the River Dodder in the bright twilight and dusk, from Rathgar as far as the mills at Dartry.

Two or three joggers were enjoying the deceptively late afternoon; two people walking their dogs took time to sit on a park bench, and it was almost as if they were basking in this January evening.

By the time I reached Trinity Hall, darkness was closing in. But even in my own back yard the small potted olive tree is beginning to show signs of Spring.

The new academic term is about to begin, and the pace of the working week is about to be stepped up. It will be Spring within the next few weeks.

In Saint Bartholomew’s Church, Ballsbridge, where I celebrated the Eucharist earlier this week (Photograph: Patrick Comerford, 2014)