Still Younger than Springtime

She's afraid to come out of hiding this year. That must be why there's few signs of her...oh, maybe an isolated buttercup here and there, and a glimpse of a robin. But Old Man Winter still rules here, and in most of the country. Last night I got a note from a friend in Ohio, lamenting that more snow was on its way, and she didn't think she'd have any flowers in her yard to welcome me when I visit in a few weeks. And this afternoon another friend near St. Louis noted that it's snowing at her place. A stepson in Colorado Springs posted photos of his tulips poking out of the snow this morning.

Poor timid creature...she's been hearing us curse her for weeks now...no wonder she's going to continue to hide. My Grandma Gertie told me you could catch more flies with honey than vinegar, and I suppose that might work with all winged creatures, including hummingbirds, butterflies and Ms. Spring, herself. Here's how I picture her, eyes downcast, waiting wistfully for us to welcome her, not admonish her. So I say we woo this shy maiden, sing her praises, coax her out of hiding. Let her know how much we love her. And, of course we do. But we need somebody with a strong, brave voice to convince her that it's safe. Somebody with tenderness and power. Somebody as young at  heart at Ms. Spring herself, who could plead on our behalf with style and grace and vigor? Oh, wait! I know who.

I saw this  man on Broadway in 1980 in Evita, and it's been true love ever since.  He could could sing spring into surfacing! It's Mandy Patinkin....with "Younger than Springtime." How can she resist?

Here he is with the London Sympathy...sounding like an angel himself. Just watch this video and you'll know exactly what I mean. Mandy, even now, for me shall always remain younger than springtime.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii465lXLp8w

  Younger than Springtime

I touch your hands
And my heart grows strong,
Like a pair of birds
That burst with song.
My eyes look down
At your lovely face,
And I hold a world
In my embrace.

Younger than springtime, are you
Softer than starlight, are you,
Warmer than winds of June,    
Are the gentle lips you gave me.    

Gayer than laughter, are you,
Sweeter than music, are you,
Angel and lover, heaven and earth,
Are you to me.

And when your youth
And joy invade my arms,
And fill my heart as now they do,
Then younger than springtime, am I,
Gayer than laughter, am I,
Angel and lover, heaven and earth,
Am I with you!

And when your youth
And joy invade my arms,
And fill my heart as now they do,

Then younger than springtime, am I,
Gayer than laughter, am I,
Angel and lover, heaven and earth,
Am I with you.

--Rodgers and Hammerstein, South Pacific, 1949