It may not feel like it, but we’re now (as of 1 March) in meteorological spring. Ironically, it felt a lot more spring-like at the end of February when UK temperatures reached 18C. Warm enough to sit out!

For many, the arrival of spring brings hope. It’s a time of opening out, of shedding cares and layers, and – if like me you are seasonally affected –  the increase in light levels can spark a dramatic lift in mood and energy.

Early spring can be a time of conflicting emotions, however. Just like the weather, our mood may be unsettled.  An early glimpse of spring might be a false start – especially if there’s a final blast of winter to drive us back into hibernation. Hopefully that won’t happen this year though!

Artist David Hockney talked about ‘Action Week’ – a week, usually in April, when nature gets into action and everything opens up in a burst of colour. The season has also been described as a ‘great unfurling.’

Tim Dee Greenery, in Journeys in springtime, says ‘spring moves at walking pace towards us from the winter solstice’ – and perhaps there is something comforting about the idea that somewhere on the planet, it is always springtime.

So today’s writing exercises are themed around the season.

First, spend a few moments considering:

• What are the first signs of spring?
• What sights, sounds, smells, touch do you associate with this time of year?
• How do you feel about the season?
• Note any words or phrases that come to mind.

Next, read the poems below:

Prologue to Spring by Sylvia Plath 

The Enkindled Spring by D. H. Lawrence | Poetry Foundation

Note how both poets tackle the subject. Observe the imagery they use. Can you tell from their writing how they feel about the season?

Exercise 1.

• Pick a line from one of the poems, or an image, or choose something in your garden for inspiration or listen to the sounds on this video Birdsong sounds
• Set a timer and do a five-minute freewrite using your chosen prompt.
• Go through what you’ve written, underlining words and phrases that you like.
• Use those underlined sections to write a piece of poetry or prose in any form.

Exercise 2.

Write a piece inspired by one of these phrases

• The great unfurling
• Action Week

If you enjoy these writing exercises, I’d love to hear how you get on – feel free to leave a comment or post a line or two of your writing in the comments below.