Plum blossoms 梅の開花

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A beautiful sight has appeared in my neighborhood-plum blossoms. After years of viewing ink paintings of the flowers and reading poetry about them, I am pleased to see these late winter blossoms in person. Perhaps a Chinese Tang Dynasty poem is appropriate for the occasion. The following is by Qi Ji (861-935).

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An Early Plum Flower

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Thousands of trees near breaking under ice;

warmth returns only to this lonely root.

Deep snow by the next village.

One branch bloomed last night.

Wind carries the hidden fragrance off,

and birds peep at its plain white beauty.

If the seasons behave next year,

we'll see the first flowers at Spring Platform.

---Translated by Tony Barnstone and Chou Ping

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To see a great Meiji period print of plum blossoms by Chikanobu click here. Spring is on the way!

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