earth blushed:

warm, pink, so pretty.

her swirling rose clouds

rain aroused underground.

we bid her bloom

to bridge heaven with earth.

rise up young heroine!

and might we drink again,

your cherry blossom wine;

intoxicating dreams, divine.

she woke sweet and sudden,

grew again cherry tree cotton.

japanese stems...dancing again.

announcing spring, recalling our dreams.

-sharon marjorie