even the heavenly gods
crowd' round
plum blossoms
Kobayashi Issa
Originally introduced from China, the Japanese plum (japanese: ume; has played an important role in Japanese culture for many centuries. Its popularity was eventually surpassed by that of the cherry tree.
The plum is associated with the start of spring,
because plum blossoms are some of the first blossoms to open during the year.
In the Tokyo area, they typically flower in February and March, much earlier than the cherry which typically flowers in April.
The flowering of the ume are often celebrated with plum festivals in public parks, shrines and temples across the country.
Like cherry trees, plum trees come in many varieties, many of which were cultivated by humans over the centuries. Most plum blossoms have five petals and range in color from white to dark pink. Unlike cherry blossoms, plum blossoms have a strong, sweet fragrance.
Series: Sketches of Spring
More can be found here: G+ collection
or on my Website
Spring is a season of magic. From barren meadows
and dry lands, sometimes filled with patches of snow and ice
but suddendly, as through a unseen magic sweeping through nature
does create a blink illusion of beauty
as the land changes, get's full of all colors of the rainbow
and end in a green symphony of summer
Series on Steemit:
First sunrays