SEPHIRAT HA OMER: BLOSSOMING CHERRY TREES

Psalms of My Soul
ספירת העומר
HOD sh b'CHESED
Sephirat HaOmer day 5
Gratitude of Splendor in Kindness

Japanese Cherry Trees, Sakuras

© Joy Krauthammer

BLOSSOMING CHERRY TREES

- Joy Krauthammer

Blossoming Japanese Cherry trees, Sakuras,
So serene, pretty, pink, peaceful,
Return each year.
I anticipate them.
With joy I welcome them.
They are blessings,
Sent here from Japan.
Japanese people travel from LA
And from far to view the Sakuras.
The elderly especially come,
Those who remember their childhood.

Annually on Mitzvah Day
Jews plant the trees.
So many cultures visit Lake Balboa.
Inter-connected, we all enjoy the scene each spring.

Sometimes a tree dies.
I wonder why...
Sometimes I bring a friend.
One my age, or an elderly friend, 88 years,
We sit and reflect under the purple wisteria arbor.
We walk around the man-made lake.
Pink trees reflect in the water.
I walk off the cement path to come close.
I touch the delicate soft pink petals.
From the ground, I lift fallen flowers.

Walking on uneven grass
I greet the geese, ducks and birds.
Along the way
I photograph.
In the sun, flowers sparkle,
Sometimes skies are grey.
At times, I kayak in the lake.
I have a license to paddle.
I enjoy the tranquil view from the water.
I love the Japanese Cherry trees
Here in the Valley.

I call others with reminders to visit.
"Maybe 5% Cherry blossoms are open," I report.
"Only 20% blossoms remain!" I warn.
Treasure them. Come.
"There's a lake in the Valley?"
I am questioned.
Visions of beauty, G*d's Splendor to behold.
Let your soul feel full of joy. Come.

The Cherry trees used to open and bloom in April.
Now their show appears earlier, and earlier each year.
The trees have life cycles.
"To everything there is a season." *
Sometimes I see only darker fuscia small buds
And few pretty pink blossoms
Because I arrive too soon;
Sometimes I am too late.
This year I missed them altogether.
A lost opportunity; I was sad.
I hope I learn from my mistake and
Receive G*d's glorious gift to us
Before it is too late.

Sometimes, to enjoy with a loved one,
There is no longer
A "next time".

I share my Cherry trees picture with you;
Loveliness: sweet, serene, pretty and pink.
It is G*d's divine garden.
I celebrate the awesome Cherry trees
As I do You and you.
I give praise and I am grateful
For the blesSings
In my Garden of Life.

* Ecclesiastes 3:1 (Kohelet)

(Sukkot 2007, 5768)