Dreams of Cherry Blossoms

3/26/2024

Hello blog friends,

I hope you are enjoying the season. In our area, the cherry trees are in bloom. Walking under their branches yesterday, I traveled through time to when I lived in Japan in the 1970s. I loved Spring there.

One of the most poignant memories I have is of little old ladies in kimonos sweeping the sidewalks of the fallen cherry blossoms. Because of this sweet memory, I've written a few tankas of my experience. Poet Colleen Chesebro invites all of us to try to capture spring in syllabic verse. I've included a few seasonal words - cherry blossoms, tranquil dawns, clear nights, Mother Nature, and seasonal attire. I hope you'll journey with me today.

Have a wonderful week, dear friend. ❤️

38 Comments

Roberta Eaton Cheadle

3/27/2024 02:56:52

A delightful trilogy of verses, Gwen. The picture of you is lovely too.

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 05:35:36

Thank you, Robbie. Lots of memories of those five years. 😊

Pat Garcia link

3/27/2024 04:42:04

Hi,
I love the wordplay with the cherry trees and blooming. The cherry trees in my village have begun to blossom, and it is a comforting sight to see.
All the best.
Shalom shalom

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 05:37:23

Thank you, Pat. Comforting is a great description. They magically transport us into the heavenly realm. 😊

Liz Gaufreau link

3/27/2024 04:51:25

I love the first tanka in particular. It says so much about life in just a few short lines. The imagery is exquisite. If was fun to see the younger you in the photo.

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 05:38:43

Thank you, Liz. It's amazing how a tree can take you into another world. 😊

Staci Troilo link

3/27/2024 06:29:46

I love these poems, Gwen, and I adore the photo of you. My mom and I always looked forward to the blooms of spring. This post was a lovely reminder of her (for me).

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 06:38:19

Thank you, Staci. Your reflection on your mother prompted me to think of mine. Wonderful memories. ❤️

Staci Troilo link

3/28/2024 13:23:49

❤️

John howell link

3/27/2024 09:10:21

A beautiful memory so well expressed, Gwen.

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 10:19:54

Thank you, John, so kind of you to say. Have a wonderful day. 🌞

Dan Antion link

3/27/2024 09:39:28

Lovely verses, Gwen. Nature seems to have the power to bring us back through time.

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 10:20:46

So true, Dan, it takes us back through time. Thank you for your kind words. 🌞

Tim Dittmer link

3/27/2024 09:50:06

Great pictures, Gwen, and wonderful poetry! Enjoy spring.

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 10:21:25

Thank you, Tim. It's beautiful time of the year. 🌞

Jan Sikes

3/27/2024 09:53:20

I love all three poems, but the cherry blossoms and kimonos is so visual. I can see them!

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 10:22:08

Thanks so much, Jan. I'm glad you enjoyed the poems. 🌞

Marcia Meara link

3/27/2024 09:56:53

Beautiful poetry and images, Gwen! Thank you so much for sharing both with us! 😊❤️

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 10:22:49

Thank you, dear Marcia. I'm so glad you liked them. 🌞

Mae Clair link

3/27/2024 11:35:02

I loved this, Gwen! I was especially drawn to the middle verse. What a lovely picture you painted with words. You must have such lovely memories of that time in Japan.

Past or present, cherry blossoms always sing with the breath of spring!

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 16:42:37

Oh my, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the post. Cherry blossoms always bring me back to Japan - and those much younger years. Thank you, Mae. 😊

annette rochelle aben

3/27/2024 12:48:44

As enjoyable as cherry blossoms, and just as welcome!

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 16:43:12

So sweet of you to say, Annette. Thank you. 🤗

Jacquie Biggar link

3/27/2024 15:04:17

I bet Japan would be jaw-droppingly gorgeous in the spring. You look beautiful, by the way :)

Gwen M. Plano

3/27/2024 16:47:45

Thank you, Jacquie, it is amazingly beautiful this time of the year - and always. As for me, 50 years adds a lot of living to the young me. 😊

Priscilla Bettis link

3/27/2024 20:57:39

I love these colorful, life-filled poems.

Gwen M. Plano

3/28/2024 14:33:20

Thanks so much, Priscilla. 😊

Selma Martin

3/28/2024 07:42:33

Spotted with my little eye, a kingfisher in that photo. I understand you can tell male from female from the shape of their beaks. Don’t know which this one is. But you look lovely in that photo. The tanka gorgeous.
Not full bloom here yet. Too much rain. Blessings Dawn. Glad I read.

Gwen M. Plano

3/28/2024 14:34:59

Thank you, sweet Selma. Since I wrote this, we've had rain and hail, but the blossoms remain - so lovely. 😊

willowdot21 link

3/29/2024 05:45:05

Gwen thank you for taking us in your time machine. It's a wonderful glimpse of life in a quieter time, you look so happy and at one with life. That's what comes across in these poems.... Being one with life and the earth 💜

Gwen M. Plano

3/29/2024 15:56:05

Thank you, Willow. How kind of you to say! Thank you very much. ❤️

Balroop Singh link

3/29/2024 19:36:17

Memories make beautiful poems! All three are awesome, Gwen. Cherry trees bloom first of all and are a spectacle to watch!

Gwen M. Plano

3/30/2024 06:51:39

Thank you, Balroop. Memories do make beautiful poems - I couldn't agree more. ❤️

D. Wallace Peach link

3/31/2024 09:29:59

Beautiful poems, Gwen. What lovely memories of you time in Japan and the loveliness of the cherry blossoms. The photo of you is mesmerizing. Hugs, my friend. <3

Kerfe

4/1/2024 10:13:16

A beautiful meditation on time and place.

Colleen Chesebro link

4/1/2024 13:05:29

Gwen, I got goosebumps reading your tanka poems. What a great way to memorialize your time in Japan. Happy Easter Monday. Sakura 🌸

Jules link

4/6/2024 10:46:50

If I had a bucket list... Japan would be a place I think I would like to visit. Though I am sure much has changed over the years... just as time seems to change everything everywhere.

ben Alexander link

4/7/2024 03:16:06

Gwen, these are delightful! How long did you live in Japan for? And why, if I may ask?

~David

Dreams of Cherry Blossoms

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