A late-winter wind becomes a wish for release. The speaker wants to be blown through like apple blossoms, scattered brightly among ordinary people, then gathered back into herself. She feels a private springtime joy, as if she is blooming and dancing even while walking calmly down the street. Children notice and grin back with open, daisy-like eyes; together they glance at the “snowed-in” adults, who still seem frozen in winter and mistake her for one of their own. The poem captures that moment when an inner thaw separates a person from the numb, routine world. Its mood is light, playful, and a little knowing—full of the secret energy of early spring and the quiet delight of being seen by the young.
Thaw — Summary
Blow through me wind As you blow through apple blossoms.... Scatter me in shining petals over the passers-by.... Joyously I reunite... sway and gather to myself.... Sedately I walk by the dancing feet of children-- Not knowing I too dance over the cobbled spring. O, but they laugh back at me, (Eyes like daisies smiling wide open), And we both look askance at the snowed-in people Thinking me one of them.