You Can Look, But Don’t Touch – A Haibun

You Can Look, But Don’t Touch

Ah, beautiful Cherry blossoms, the harbinger of Springtime.  On dreary, dark days the sight of an avenue with Cherry trees in full bloom can elevate a mood of despondency to that of being in a fairy tale.  Walking down the street under boughs of pretty pink blossoms, feeling like a princess, is an almost magical state of being.

Some unseasonably warm weather in Washington DC has meant that today the trees are in peak bloom (osozakura). The sight is spectacular and normally drives many tourists there to view the trees when they are at their most photographic.

This is the time when they would be visiting in full force but the pandemic has put a stop to that.  The National Park service has urged visitors not to come, and instead is encouraging the public to enjoy the puffy blossoms virtually using the Trust for the National Mall’s online BloomCam.  Innovative, yes, but not quite the same, is it?

Blooms at their fullest
Cherry blossom abundance
Look but do not touch
 

Copyright © 2021 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing
All Rights Reserved

Frank Tassone is hosting Monday Haibun at D’Verse Poets tonight and has prompted us with Cherry Blossoms.  They bloom in three stages. hatsu hana (first bloom), sakura (peak bloom), and osozakura (late bloom).  I am writing about osozakura (late bloom)

Image by Heidelbergerin from Pixabay 

  21 comments for “You Can Look, But Don’t Touch – A Haibun

  1. March 30, 2021 at 2:57 pm

    We will have blossom in downtown Stockholm but sadly I will refrain even from that 10 km bike ride this year.

    • Christine Bolton
      March 30, 2021 at 6:00 pm

      Yes, we have come to use our imaginations so much more this past year. We have all seen blossoms and they will be there next year and perhaps your cycle ride will be worth it then ☺️

  2. March 30, 2021 at 1:37 pm

    This is a wonderful write Christine. COVID-19 again rises, with huge spikes st universities — yet the maskless morons still romp and party en masse. My wife and I are both 2-shot fully vaccinated. 5 weeks since our 2nd inoculation, so the damned fools at least can’t kill us now.

    • Christine Bolton
      March 30, 2021 at 3:01 pm

      Thank you. Exactly Rob! Living in Florida we have just has the big surge of spring breakers the last couple of weeks. What a lot of morons! Thankfully my husband and I are also both vaccinated. We still wear masks though 🤣 Although we have started to forget every now and again.

  3. March 30, 2021 at 12:16 pm

    Wow that is a really good idea they had with the bloomcam. I see lots of idiots are out there regardless of the pandemic 🙁

    • Christine Bolton
      March 30, 2021 at 3:03 pm

      You’d think it would be OK seeing as it was in a park setting. But then again you’re right. Lots of idiots out there 😕

  4. March 30, 2021 at 12:11 pm

    Now I need to go check out that cam! Not the same but still…..

    • Christine Bolton
      March 30, 2021 at 3:04 pm

      It was a good idea. ☺️👍

  5. March 30, 2021 at 11:14 am

    Do you live nearby? It must be so tempting to go and see it while there are no tourists around…

    • Christine Bolton
      March 30, 2021 at 11:47 am

      No, sadly it’s a plane ride, If you are lucky enough to work in DC you can see them daily. I have seem them and It’s quite a sight . ☺️

  6. Beverly Crawford
    March 30, 2021 at 10:47 am

    Deft capture of the sadness we all feel at our loss of freedom, yet filled with hope that things are getting better.

    • Christine Bolton
      March 30, 2021 at 11:47 am

      Thanks so much Bev ☺️

  7. March 30, 2021 at 10:35 am

    Another of life’s pleasures cut short by COVID. You portray the disappointment with such a deft touch here. Nicely done!

    • Christine Bolton
      March 30, 2021 at 11:45 am

      Thank you Frank!☺️

  8. March 30, 2021 at 5:57 am

    Nice haibun. Yes, all the BloomCams, ZooCams, and LifeCams are not quite the same as being there.

    • Christine Bolton
      March 30, 2021 at 8:08 am

      Thanks so much Ron ☺️

  9. March 29, 2021 at 8:51 pm

    lol but do not touch. Lovely.

    • Christine Bolton
      March 29, 2021 at 9:52 pm

      Thanks Sadje ☺️💕

      • March 29, 2021 at 11:16 pm

        You’re always welcome

  10. March 29, 2021 at 8:44 pm

    How sad that things are still closed.

    • Christine Bolton
      March 29, 2021 at 9:51 pm

      Yes they are even discouraging walking in the open air to see the Cherry blossoms. This pandemic is still scary isn’t it?

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