Spring Seedlings

Seedlings sprouted haphazard from last October's pumpkin,
the one I tossed into the garden in December.
Each day, we marveled at their progress.
Each day, we weeded and talked about how old
pumpkins turn into
tiny green sprouts.
We watched their fuzzy leaves spread,
laughed at seed pods still stuck on their heads.
But Old Man Winter could not stay away,
could not stand the new life popping up
all around.
He crept in one night and in his cold grip,
the seedlings withered away.
Only one little green plant was strong enough
to stay.