Cherry blossoms fall

From all these trees,
in the salads, the soup, everywhere,
cherry blossoms fall.

—Bashō, trans. Robert Hass

This year the cherry blossoms peaked in the cold and rainy final days of March.

Two evenings, we walked the tidal pool path surprised to be almost alone with the trees.

Yet, after the single Yoshino cherry blossoms have dropped their petals, then in April’s first sunlight and warmth come the frilly double Kwanzans.

And then—