The Cherry Blossoms cascade petals,
turn sidewalks pink,
gather berries on branches, litter sidewalks,
stain them reddish purple walkers crunch under foot.
For two weeks tourists flock to DC, Macon, Georgia,
Portland, Oregon and Newark, New Jersey.
And if the rains come too early or frost sets in,
you have missed them that year.
Doesn’t matter the cost of air, train, or car fare,
nor money spent on hotel and restaurant reservations
you have missed your reason for visiting—
But if walking down the street
you see a Cherry Blossom Tree,
you might stand and sniff
take in their glorious pageantry
cup the flowers gently
tell them how beautiful they are
and wander off waiting
for another chance encounter
when, if you are lucky,
turning the corner,
you are greeted one more time.
—
Writer, activist & spoken word artist, Margaret R. Sáraco, published two poetry collections with Human Error Publishing, If There Is No Wind and Even the Dog Was Quiet which was a finalist in the Eyelands Book Awards contest. She won first prize in the Moving Words competition for her poem “Dear Rorschach.”
