The cherry trees shake out their fullness
the buds all in bloom now
absorbing the sound of the blue day.

The photographer must be quick
as he leans over his camera on the tripod,
already the lick of green shoots from the tip of the branches,
the pavement scattered with petals.

The trees so laden some dip
almost to the hyacinths,
yellow and ivory.

The cats sun themselves in the grass;
the dogs prance by their owners,
the lichen covers the gnarled trunks.

This long tradition on 33rd street,
the avenue shimmering in pink ,
so brief,
so needed.

FEWalls March 31, 2014