April 22 - April 26 Leaves Bloom

2010-The drama of fall leaves is so commonly appreciated as to be almost a cliché, yet I find the more subtle but equally varied colors of spring foliage more satisfying.  The combinations of butterscotch and rust, a hundred shades of golden greens contrasted with reds ranging from the burgundy of the Japanese maple to the peach of birch buds leave me feeling immersed in poetry.  The intricacy and delicacy of the unfurling forms adds to the overall effect; a miracle of tender feeling reborn in me every spring.

Peach mists of springtime
Against burgundy maple;
Tender ochre buds.

2011- Grey wet weather continues though it is gradually warming up.  The grass is suddenly green and lush and now I worry that it will be too long to cut before it dries enough to do it.  The wet weather does make the colors standout, even the lichen glows against the wet black bark, though things are far behind last year.  It’s hard not to be sad when the sun just doesn’t come out, and then I feel ashamed of being so susceptible.  I realize I feel I should be more in control of my feelings, though if anyone asked I would have denied thinking that way.  Just go ahead and be sad I guess, until I’m not.

See how the new sprouts
That crack the grey stones open
Are seeping fresh tears.

2012-There had been no rain at all this month and now the forecast calls for all of it at once, overnight.  There was a precursor  thunderstorm last night that wet the ground pretty well so the rest can be absorbed rather than run off. Still, if it falls at once there could again be the flooding we saw last spring.
The robin has decided not to nest in the yew though I still see it somewhat forlorn on the same branch of the ash many mornings. Then it flies off, I know not where.  The grackles are annoying still, hogging the feeders in spite of my not refilling them for long periods hoping to drive them away. I’ll just use up the feed I have and stop for the summer-hopefully before the bear returns. The wisteria is blooming amid the white lilacs to very pretty effect.  The pretty little red leaves of poison ivy are appearing already.
 2013- The robins are nesting in the yew again, right outside the window.

Softly swelling buds
Are tender yellow babies;
Washed by this cold rain.