April in Alaska April April in Alaska means exposure. The snow is melting, and what is left of the snow is covered with a layer of dirt and grime. No longer is the crystal blanket of February covering the earth and trees. Mud oozes, dirt blows.
Puddles gather in parking lots, in streets, and in the front yard.
The smell in the air is that of old exposed wet earth. When Ricky comes in the room I immediately know if he has been playing outside. He will have the smell of the great muddy outdoors on him. The trees have no leaves, the ground no grass, and all the trash that has collected over the winter is brought to light as the snow melts and reveals the accumulations of people s thoughtlessness and January s Chinook winds. The outdoors sounds hollow and empty.