You are currently viewing Challenge No. 22, Snow Becomes Rain (February 19 – March 4) Usui 雨水
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Challenge No. 22, Snow Becomes Rain (February 19 – March 4) Usui 雨水

This post is written for Colleen’s Syllabic Challenge: This week marks the start of
the Snow Becomes Rain season. It’s a time of transition and awakening as the first
signs of spring emerge. Embrace the seasonal changes and create poetry inspired
by the kigo words.

Rape blossoms
wilding far and wide
in the open fields
*
Tall bamboo trees
fan away the rain
the skylarks sing
*
High pollen count
I just want to sleep
but for noisy birds
*
At the spring sale
I hear someone sneeze
I curse the sneeze-tree

 © selma
Kigo: rape blossoms,rain,pollen,sneeze,spring sale

Spring is a season of transitions…

Tanka Tuesday: The lane in Epinay, snow effect by Monet: Wikimedia.org
Transitioning into Spring

I see the signs and feel it
inching closer every day
the loud-soft spray of color
bud inch by inch on the ground
and a more adoring wind
caresses my ears and cheeks
these are the songs I love best--
transition me into spring

 © selma
Kigo: transition, spring

Thank you for choosing to read today. Happy spring.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 53 Comments

  1. rajkkhoja

    Nice words use in Transitioning into Spring . Wonderful photography.

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks, Raj. We have light rain today. And pretty cold. 🥶 one step forward. Two steps back 🤦🏽‍♀️
      This rain might really turn to snow 🤷🏽‍♀️
      We will get there 👏🏽
      hope you have signs of spring
      too. 🌸

  2. Sadje

    Love the phrase- sneeze tree. When I was younger, spring was a season of sneezing for me too.

    1. Selma Martin

      So you outgrew the sneeze. Clap
      Japanese cedar trees are the sneeze trees. 😢
      Thanks for reading.

      1. Sadje

        I’m taking anti allergy all through the year so I think that helped

  3. beth

    so happy for the transition and your words say it all so well, including the sneezes

    1. Selma Martin

      Transitions aren’t always smooth. We will get there. 🚶🏻‍♀️ 🚶🏻 🚶🏻‍♂️

  4. sgeoil

    “loud-soft spray of colour”. Yes, the transition is very much like that. Wonderful!

    1. Selma Martin

      I so appreciate you reading. Blessings and happy spring

  5. VJ

    All lovely, and I feel the imposition of pollen.

    1. Selma Martin

      It’s part of the transition. We must take it in too.

  6. Sonia Dogra

    loud-soft spray of color… what a lovely juxtaposition of opposites.

  7. D.L. Finn, Author

    Yes, spring is arriving, along with that pollen!

    1. Selma Martin

      It’s part and parcel.
      Thanks D.L. Hope all is well in your woods

      1. D.L. Finn, Author

        It is well, thanks xo

  8. Annette Rochelle Aben

    cursing the sneeze tree… made me smile as there are so many around me who also curse sneeze-trees!

  9. msjadeli

    Really enjoyed both of your spring-y poems, Selma. Life is afoot again!

    1. Selma Martin

      It’s true. The only downside. I experience it in spring only. Some people go on longer. I feel sad for them.
      Blessings.

  10. Lisa

    Sneeze trees! I imagined acacia, not native to the US, but people think they are pretty. So many are allergic. And, the line, “transition me into spring” is just what I say!

    1. Selma Martin

      The Japanese Cedar tree (over planted) is the one everyone calls the sneeze tree here.
      The Acacia (Mimosa) is a gorgeous tree. So far I think it’s pollen I can tolerate. I like that tree.
      Transition us into spring, already! 👏🏽

  11. memadtwo

    Allergies can ruin any season.
    But I love the gentle spirit of the second poem. (K)

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for saying, K. Blessed be. 🙇🏽‍♀️

  12. Annika Perry

    Beautiful reflections on the transitioning into Spring, Selma! It can be a teasing time, the seasons fickle as they skirt between Winter chill and Spring sunshine!

  13. Selma Martin

    That’s it exactly. Xoxo thanks for reading dear friend

    1. Anonymous

      Beautiful transition in the verse and the usage of sneeze tree was interesting

  14. Ingrid

    Lovely to feel the change to spring coming on…

  15. Gwen M. Plano

    Oh my, I love the movement in your poem. ❤️

    1. Selma Martin

      You’re too kind, Gwen. Glad you enjoyed the movement. 👏🏽

  16. Colleen Chesebro

    Selma, your poetry is always so spot on for the season. I need that mask the girl is wearing in the photo. LOL! I hope you feel better soon. We all seem to be dealing with illness this year. 🌸💖🌷

    1. Selma Martin

      The year didn’t start well. I really hope you’re feeling better now, Colleen.
      I feel I stretched a nerve the wrong way. Behind my right ear—shocks ⚡️

      I’m taking it so slow. Last year just at the start of NaPo I got another bout of vertigo. I don’t want it to be that again.
      Im taking things slow.
      Will talk to you again soon. Forgive my absence. 🙇🏽‍♀️

  17. Smitha V

    I loved your poetry, Selma. So apt for the season. I had no idea that ‘sneeze tree’ was a thing.
    ‘High pollen count
    I just want to sleep
    but for noisy birds’

    On my side of the world, it’s the construction noise all around that keep me from sleeping. And I have no idea if it’s the high pollen or dust in the air that’s got me sneezing.

    1. Selma Martin

      A combination of the two for sure.
      Thanks for finding g something g to like, dear one.
      Perhaps a mask would help alleviate symptoms—I know that after so much sneezing, the body comes to ache.
      Bless you and congratulations on everything. I’m so happy for your success. Sooooo happy for you 🥹

      1. Smitha V

        Hi Selma, I enjoy your posts. I haven’t been at home for two months and then after that, I’ve been stuck with the flu. I hope to catch up more often.
        Yes, I’ve started wearing my mask again and I feel so much better. Thank you for celebrating with me. I feel grateful. Much love to you, dear Selma. XXX

  18. Anonymous

    Beautiful transition and the usage of sneeze tree was interesting

  19. Robbie Cheadle

    Two gorgeous poems, Selma. This line: the loud-soft spray of color, is a delight.

  20. ben Alexander

    Love the imagery in your verses! They really paint a picture of nature in just a few words. Awesome job!

    ~David

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