Visiting the Dingle after early March snow

Visiting Holywell Dingle(*) 16/03/18 in the aftermath of the snow

No corn growing now in the field
that borders the path along to the dingle
– turnips lie across it in the mud
(apparently for the roaming sheep to eat
– their prints everywhere),
the field-edge path is softer, oozing –
we sink to our ankles,
splash, wade, frequent suck-glugs
as haul-pluck at mud-clasped boot;
(later realise we were meant to
leave this after a while and strike
out across the firmer turnip soil,
but no indication on the ground)

on to the lane, past a house, and
down the squishy steps into the dingle -
the whole place filled with
the sound of rushing water –
the usual ambling stream
is now a small river torrent
swollen by the melted snow
pouring through.

Leaves emerging through the earth
(just an occasional flower with some)  –
bluebells, wood anemone, herb paris, cuckoo pint,
dog’s mercury, primrose, celandine
honeysuckle, a carpet of lesser periwinkle,
fungi on the ground or attacking
the many fallen trees,
beautiful moist mossy logs.

*https://www.abctales.com/story/rhiannonw/dingle-through-seasons
http://www.abctales.com/story/rhiannonw/holywell-dingle-wet-winter