In the midst of Gray Winter's Cold ...Flowers!
It happens every year. Toward the end of January, I would spy in the patch of ground beneath two towering white pines, tiny white-tipped green shoots. Feeling a surge of happiness, I would cry excitedly to my husband, “I see the snowdrops! Spring is here!" He would look up from whatever he is doing and smile. Spring, of course, is still several weeks away. No matter, the sight of them would make my heart sing. They signal my magic garden's awakening.
The snow drops would grow taller by the day as they inched their way through cold ground. Soon, I would be able to make out tightly-wrapped white buds. In full bloom, each plant is about three to four inches high and bears a small white flower flanked by a pair of narrow, light green leaves. Interestingly, the flowers droop, seemingly bowing to the ground. In a few winters, the snow drops actually bloomed amidst snow. Thy are truly a beautiful sight to behold.
The snow drops would grow taller by the day as they inched their way through cold ground. Soon, I would be able to make out tightly-wrapped white buds. In full bloom, each plant is about three to four inches high and bears a small white flower flanked by a pair of narrow, light green leaves. Interestingly, the flowers droop, seemingly bowing to the ground. In a few winters, the snow drops actually bloomed amidst snow. Thy are truly a beautiful sight to behold.
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| Snowdrops blooming in snow Photo: SockFoon
Now, that was January. About a week or so into February, I would detect a delicate fragrance coming from the honeysuckle tree. The flower buds that had been slowly swelling had burst into bloom. At first, the bare-leaved tree shows just a scattering of tiny white and pink flowers. Before I know it, hundreds of flowers would cover the entire tree. Throughout its brief flowering season, bees would buzz about, taking in the nectar. I dearly love this tree. The delicacy of the flowers, arresting fragrance, and brief season inspired these "haiku" lines, titled "Ephemeality."
ephemerality
honeysuckles bloom
scenting the air with fragrance
petals fall softly
chew sock foon
22 march, 2000
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| A honeysuckle flower Photo: SockFoon |
