It is that time of year again. The cherry blossoms are coming into full bloom here in the Reno area. They are everywhere on the campus where I work, and as I move between buildings throughout the course of my day, I often stop to appreciate all they bring to the world.
cherry chant
if you look closely and hold your
face near their outstretched petals
they will look right back at you
small round mouths gaping wide
their many translucent tongues lick
out and taste the brisk spring winds
and with all their might they reach
small white arms out to touch the sun
they are not hungry or calling
out to preach you their truths
or admonish your wrongs
they are singing their inmost prayers
they want nothing from you but
if you listen as closely as you look
you may just hear their songs
a sound like the slightest whisper
our human ears cannot hear the full
vibrancy and range of their choir
only the gentlest motions as they
weave and dance to rhythms of wind