Through the naked trees I spy
a most striking painting to behold
it could be the work of O’Keeffe,
it could be the work of Van Gogh,
but the only one here is Nature.
The path before me whistles,
excoriates the dreary frost and
benumbing cold rain out of me
—glistening my spirit with warmth—
a hectare of golden wings teeming.
They wave and sway in the breeze
a badge of perkiness alluring
(and although I wheeze and I sneeze),
hurried, with flamboyance I swing
to a field of rapeseed yellowing.
© selma
The above poem is true to life.
Here’s a link to the Hama-Rikyu Gardens I visited on Sunday with my friend visiting
from America. Despite the sneezing that somehow was “contained” the entire day,
we had a most pleasant visit.
But, I had to call it a night at 8p.m from the repressed sneezing that arrested me once
I re-entered my home.
The Ume blossoms were barely starting to open, the Sakura blossoms still waiting.
But I promise you, the Nanohana Blooms were worth the half-day trip to Tokyo.
Last night I cooked an easy recipe of—you guessed it— nanohana.
Nanohana is a tasty (east-west polarity: an acquired bitter taste)
harbinger of spring here. The rapeseed plant is so evocative of the
season that reference to this flowering plant is often used in
haiku, to evoke the sensibility of spring.
I’m sure this is so, but I couldn’t find a Nanohana haiku by any of ‘the greats’
in my books. But there’s this one by Matsuo Bashō:
All this foolishness
about moons and blossoms
pricked by the cold’s needle.
*
So here’s my haiku (note: ornamental polarities)
cool creeping Charlie
juxtaposed among rape blooms
east and west squabble
*
by the rapeseed field—
paused ’til 5 o’clock—the hare
eyes the ground Charlie
© selma
Kigo: creeping Charlie, rapeseed
Note: I think you can see how the contrast of colors is appealing, even aesthetic.
The garden grounds closes to the public at 5 o’clock; thus, the hare waits patiently.
We also had green tea and Japanese confectionery representing the flowers:
one the plum, the other the rapeseed.
I wrote this post for Colleen’s TankaTuesday 24 Seasons Syllabic Poetry Challenge,
No. 24, 3/5/24, Part I, Wintering Insects Awake (March 5 – 19) Keichitsu 啓蟄
Thank you for reading.
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Nature is magnificent and magical. Love the poems and photos.
Thanks so much for taking g the time to read and comment, Maria. You’re a gem. Blessings.
Loved the photographs and luscious poems steeped in nature and culture. Simply stunning! As always, dear friend.
The scene before me was luscious to begin with. And the day, perfect. So happy you read. Be well, dear friend. Xoxo
Thank you for sharing this spring splendor Selma. The magnificence of Mother Nature is shining through your words as well as pictures that warmed my heart.
Spring splendor compliments of Mother Nature. You’re so kind for visiting. Thanks so dearly. I’ll make my rounds soon. Bless you, Balroop. 🤗
Love this poem and photo so much!
Thanks so very much, sweet Bella. Happy Spring.
You are more than welcome!
Wow! The rapeseed blossoms are amazing! Your Japanese confections are so lovely. I love the simple beauty of Japanese food. (Plus, it tastes good)! Fabulous poetry, Selma. I’m so happy you’re sharing all the photos. 💛
forgive the delayed response: pulled from Spam. forgive. The blossoms are amazing. It was a most delightful day with my friend. Delicious too. Thanks for reading and commenting, my sweet. blessings.
Thank you for writing, sharing and connecting hearts with your poetry!
You say the nicest things, Annette, so glad this one sparkled so. Mother Nature is the spark. Thanks my sweet. 😇
The magic of nature beautifully expressed in your words and photos, Selma!
Magical Nature. Thanks Eugi —glad
You could see magic expressed. Bless you
You’re most welcome, Selma.
❤
💐😘🤗💕
Being immersed in nature’s beauty is often worth the sneezing and wheezing. Beautiful colors!
JoAnna. Hi. It’s so true. Being immersed in nature releases us of toils and troubles. Beautiful colors, indeed. Be well, friend. Blessings.
Beautiful poem, Selma. I loved the lines-
The path before me whistles,
excoriates the dreary frost and
benumbing cold rain out of me
—glistening my spirit with warmth—
a hectare of golden wings teeming.
I hope the sneezing’s stopped now.
Awww you loved those lines—my fave too. Thanks.
The sneezing is contained (😌 )
That’s good to hear 🙂
Lovely photos and poems!
I appreciate you saying, Dawn. Xo
I would be sneezing with these, but oh the beauty of the bright colour, and your poems made me feel so cheerful
💞Suzanne
Yes, all that pollen!
But the colors, splendid—makes one forget toils and troubles if only for a moment. The mind is distracted.
Thanks for reading and commenting. Bless you
Gorgeous, Selma – the photographs and your poems. Nature opens the heart as nothing else can. So beautiful! ❤️
Nature knows. Thanks, Gwen. Happy Women’s Day (every day)
What an exquisite and fascinating post, Selma! Wonderful photos and a lovely spring poem! ❤️ 🦋 🌼 Thank you for sharing! I am also sniffling, coughing, and sneezing! Pollen here has been very high.
I hope you’re on meds or at the very least that you’re wearing a mask to ward off the pollen. It finds us… wear a mask. 😷 bless you.
Happy Women’s Day (every Day)
Beautiful poetry, Selma. My favorite line: “a hectare of golden wings teeming” – How lovely!
I appreciate you reading my friend. Thanks for liking g that line. Happy Women’s Day (every day) 🤗
<3
“glistening my spirit with warmth”–the colors of your words reinforce than image Selma. Beautiful. (K)
Thanks for letting the words embrace you so.
Selma–my comments don’t seem to be posting, but a lovely poem.(K)
Kerfe, that happens to me sometimes too from phone. And sometimes I show as anonymous. I’m hating this part.
So far, I AM receiving/seeing your comments that you so generously leave after reading and liking.
So sad that you leave my comment section thinking your comment was in vain. Thanks for being so supportive. Happy women’s day, Kerfe. Xo 🤗
Great poems and beautiful pictures, Selma!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, dearest Yve. And thank you and thank you for everything.
Happy Women’s Day (every day) xo 🤗
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Your poem truly captures nature’s ability to evoke the works of great artists. The line “a most striking painting to behold” paints such a vivid picture 🙂
~David
Thanks so much David. Aww to be among such beauty for a few hours…xo