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Cherry Trees and Haiku: A Digital Haiku Hedge by Lesley Donaldson

Point Grey resident Lesley Donaldson is usually displaying haiku on her hedge during cherry blossom season, but this year is different. She writes:

“I can’t assemble my Haiku Hedge this year because of social distancing and no gathering rules. So instead I am organizing a digital Haiku Hedge.”

Since March 25, Lesley sends to her family and friends a daily e-mail featuring a photo of her cherry trees and a haiku written by herself or by haiku masters. Here are some photos and haiku shared by Lesley.

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Listen! Hear the voices

six feet apart –

between the blossomed trees

 

Lesley Donaldson

 

 

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In these latter-day

degenerate times,

cherry-blossoms everywhere!

 

Kobayashi Issa (1763 – 1828)

 

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Pale mountain sky:

cherry petals play

as they tumble earthward

 

Kusama Tokihiko (1920 – 2003)

 

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The light of a candle

Is transferred to another candle—

Spring twilight

 

Yosa Buson (1716 – 1784)

 

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Lesley, whose hedge has been  featured in the Georgia Straight, wrote about her beautiful Akebono cherry trees:

“I have four huge cherry trees planted over 30 years ago along the west side of my house. I live on a corner lot and I remember when I planted them my mother saying “people going places will say, ‘turn at the corner where the cherry trees are’”.  I liked that idea.”

She might have been wrong though –  I think people mainly notice my deep green yew hedge, 6 feet high that encloses my property.  It is clipped and maybe 200 ft long (…) and in the spring, when the pink blossoms fall from the cherry trees, it reminds me of sprinkles.”

At a time when the global order is in chaos (…) I find comfort in looking out of my windows at the giant cherry tree trunks “

 

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Lesley has been participating in the VCBF Haiku Invitational for many years, winning an honourable mention in 2008:

 

The carpet of blossoms—

my granddaughter in her pink dress

does a twirl

 

Lesley Donaldson (VCBF haiku invitational 2008 Adult Honourable Mention)

 

You too! You can share your love of cherry blossoms through haiku. Submit your poem to the VCBF haiku invitational.

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Cherry Blossom Viewing Tip: Enjoy Cherry Trees in your Neighbourhood

Cherry blossom season has officially started in Vancouver. Akebono are now in full bloom, along with Pandora, Beni-shidare, Afterglow, and much more.

We understand it could be tempting to go to your favourite cherry blossom viewing spot. However, because of COVID-19 and the need to respect physical distancing and avoid gathering, it would be wise to consider, instead, enjoying a walk under cherry trees in your own neighbourhood.

With 40,000 cherry trees in the city, there’s plenty to see.

Here’s what I saw during a neighbourhood walk in Burnaby.

Akebono cherry trees at Cliff (corner Curtis):

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A small Beni-shidare that hasn’t been added to the VCBF map yet.

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Afterglow cherry trees at Cliff and Curtis.  The bright pink flowers are magnificent!

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There are 40,000 cherry trees planted in residential streets.  We’re so lucky to have access to these trees.

Have a look at the VCBF neigjbourhood maps to find trees near you.

Enjoy cherry trees in your neighbourhood. Stay safe and maintain physical distancing.