Cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin, Washington, DC; Photo Public Domain
Issa–“Under the cherry blossoms,
there are
no strangers”
Thousands of people are perambulating the Tidal Basin, all gathered for one auspicious event, the blossoming of the cherries. This year the date was forecast by the National Park Service arborists as March 25, 2016 as the peak date for the blossoming in Washington, D.C. The flowers don’t last but for a few days so it is of utmost importance to view them as close to peak as possible. The peak bloom day is when roughly 70% of the flowers will be open. The flowers begin white and gradually turn pink. Sometimes three days later the blossoms will begin to fall and cover the ground beneath as if with a delicate-petaled snowfall…the trees making way for their budding green leaves.
People ooh and ah, pointing and smiling at nature’s extravagance. Festivities include art showings, picnics, and some hire professional photographers to have engagement photos taken, family or portrait photos done with the cherry blossoms. There’s a feeling of camaraderie and joy in the air and reverence too as some of the trees are over a century old.
new beginnings spring
heralded by pink flowers
soft breeze petals fall
Toni hosts our haibun Monday today at dVerse. Our topic is cherry blossoms and spring.
Bodhirose's Blog 
petrujviljoen
/ March 28, 2016How brief beauty can be. The informative prose (besides the haiku) appreciated.
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Mary
/ March 28, 2016Yes, indeed, we have to view the blossoms while they are at their peak; as the peak is soon over. Watching nature’s show, nature’s extravagance, is a pastime we have to appreciate while we can. Blossoms, as life, pass all too soon!
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Adriana Citlali Ramírez
/ March 28, 2016It is an extravagance to enjoy! It’s been some time since I last had the chance to experience the blossoms; writing and reading about them also bring that ephemeral joy.
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Grace
/ March 28, 2016I am looking forward when our blooms will start to open and bloom too ~ Right now its still very cold and chilly, so no blooms yet ~ But I know what you mean about the camaraderie and joy of people enjoying the blooms, taking pics, and welcoming the spring season ~
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summerstommy2
/ March 28, 2016Lovely Gayle, I don’t live in area where that happens but I marvel at those who do. Enjoyed your haibun very much.
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Victoria C. Slotto
/ March 28, 2016At home, our cherry tree has, no doubt, lost its blossoms–I just read we got 8″ of snow today. Nature is fragile, as you show in those falling petals.
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kanzensakura
/ March 28, 2016And this is so true. Viewing and appreciating the beauty does indeed make “unstrangers” of people. One of the many reasons I so enjoy hanami. This is a wonderfully light and cheerful haibun and the haiku makes me smile! Thank you for writing to the prompt.
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kim881
/ March 29, 2016What a wonderful occasion, thousands of people at the Tidal basin to look at the blossoming cherries. I don’t think there is anything like that where I live – there might be something similar at Kew Gardens in West London – so I will suggest a private celebration below our own cherry tree when it blossoms.
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Kathy
/ March 29, 2016Definitely a celebration of spring in this poem…so alive with history and
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Kathy
/ March 29, 2016….beauty!
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georgeplace2013
/ March 29, 2016I’d love to see it someday. Lovely Gayle
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Misky
/ March 29, 2016It must be so special!
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Walt Wojtanik
/ March 29, 2016Informative and the Haiku fits beautifully! Nicely done, Gayle!
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kaykuala (@hankkaykuala)
/ March 29, 2016Very informative! Your haiku sums it up beautifully Gayle!
Hank
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Ayala
/ March 29, 2016Lovely share!
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Hannah Gosselin
/ March 30, 2016Glorious petal-fall that you describe…lovely!
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nmykel
/ March 31, 2016Yes–the old and the new. Gnarled, twisted trunks bearing the froth of life. Thanks.
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mishunderstood
/ April 3, 2016This is all so interesting. Just seeing one cherry tree in blossom would be a treat but to stand under a cherry blossom snowfall….wow!
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katiemiafrederick
/ April 13, 2016sMILes..
so far.. this
year.. iN my
yard.. an orange
blossoming Native
Azalea iS mY
favorite oF
aLL..
FloWer fiRes
sunset sky..
orange bliss…
SAdly.. i didn’t
notice.. any dArker
Cherry blossoms @aLL..:)
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