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ANDREW TAYLORSpringSpring is a diverse country.In movies it's invariably loveand soft focus and lots of apres winter coloursand slow motion, slow "springing" motionas lovers, for a moment, defy gravity.For others spring is hay fever,the onset of a sinusitis so severethat the chills, torments and snows of yesteryearwould be welcome relief.Every flowerblooming innocently by the waysideis poisonous, every perfumed breezecarries its murderous allergens unseenbut straight to the nerve.For me though spring is two things -the fIrst basil seedlings at the marketand blossom. They come in a complex order.In midwinter almonds blossom and I say"Spring's here already." Then follows- always - the bleakest, dreariest August.Almonds are winter flowers, deceptive, subtle,but also stirrers of hope.After the gloom, the abysmal drops in temperature,other blossoms come. And abruptlyplum and flowering apple take overthe garden. I leave the plum blossoms untouchedmentally decimating them into our harvestof fruit. That's whenthe fIrst basil seedlings should appear at the market.28WESTERLY, No.2, JUNE, 1989