Spring is a time of rebirth when the natural world comes back to life after a long winter. This time of year is often used as a metaphor for new beginnings. Here are some examples of how writers have used the metaphor of spring in their work. In "The Waste Land" by T. S. Eliot, the speaker longs for spring to come and wash away the ashes of his dead relationship. He describes spring as a time when "the human engine waits / Like a taxi throbbing waiting." The image of a car idling on the street conveys a sense of hope and a sense of impatience. The speaker hopes spring will bring him new love, but he's also impatient for it to arrive. In "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith, the arrival of spring is a sign of hope for the protagonist, Francie Nolan. Francie is a poor girl growing up in Brooklyn in the early 20th century. She and her family live in a tenement, and money is tight. But every year, when spring comes, Francie feels hopeful that her life will improve. She looks forward to seeing the trees blooming and the flowers growing in the sidewalk cracks. For Francie, spring is a time of possibility.