fleeting

my whole life i'd heard of cherry blossoms.
but to hear of and to experience sakura,
or perhaps anything, are worlds apart.

the japanese eagerly track the blooms
from the early deep colored petals of the southern islands
to the later pale approaching the mainland.

certain trees hold local fame and charm
elderly limbs supported with crutches
carry the weight of streaming pink flush.

parties and picnics, called hanami,
two words enmeshed - "flower" and "to see"
young and old sit under the showering petals.

from barren winter pink life seems to
suddenly appear on the naked trees
clothing them in pregnant fullness.

within a fortnight as quickly as they came,
the trees can hold this new life no more
and petals are shed to line the streets.

green shade leaves take their place
a new season is promised,
but the days remain chilly a bit longer.

like nothing else i know, sakura speaks
of all things fleeting and gone almost as
quickly as they come - spring, beauty, a life.

flourishing like a flower of the field
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
its place remembers it no more.

but from everlasting to
everlasting the LORD's love is
with those who fear Him.