Vancouver Cherry Blossom FestivalPresented by
December 15, 2024. These are winter cherries, ‘Autumnalis Rosea’, either the same or a very close relative to what the Japanese call ‘Jugatsu-zakura’, “cherry of the 10th month”. It is still 2024, but these are kicking off the new year. Thanks for Shirley Willard for the photo from Richmond, and Lisa Lennie for the one from Victoria. These blossoms are very small, no more than 2 cm in diameter, smaller than they appear here.
Last week-end, when I visited the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen garden in Vancouver, there were only a few Autumnalis Rosea left on the tree by the entrance (on the higher branches). This lonely flower reminded my of this haiku:
Late spring,
this cherry blossom tree
one flower from darkness
Glen Fletcher
Maldon, AustraliaVancouver Cherry Blossom Festival 2012 (Sakura Award)
This haiku could have many interpretations. You can imagine that evening is falling and only one blossom remains visible in the darkness. But when I read it, I see a deeper level to it.
“This cherry blossom tree / one flower from darkness” could mean that once the last flower is gone, the tree will fall into darkness (oblivion). This haiku celebrates the fleeting life of cherry blossoms.