The first flowers of spring

As always, Snowdrops and Winter Aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) were the first spring flowers in my neighbourhood also this year. It appears that some of them have been around for a few days already, but I got sight of them only today. Anyway, a most welcome sign of spring!

The snowdrops reminded me of William Wordsworth´s nice little poem from 1819:  



To a snowdrop

Lone flower, hemmed in with snows and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to offend,
Like an unbidden guest. Though day by day,
Storms, sallying from the mountain-tops, waylay
The rising sun, and on the plains descend;
Yet art thou welcome, welcome as a friend
Whose zeal outruns his promise! Blue-eyed May
Shall soon behold this border thickly set
With bright jonquils, their odours lavishing
On the soft west-wind and his frolic peers;
Nor will I then thy modest grace forget,
Chaste Snowdrop, venturous harbinger of Spring,
And pensive monitor of fleeting years!