It’s time for our first “tree love” post of May! Today, I’m sharing what I consider the crowning glory of spring–cherry blossoms!
I really should have written this post weeks ago when I had a little more energy, but I was so excited about the cherry blossoms that I couldn’t imagine being too tired for words for this particular post.
The cherry blossoms are usually the last to bloom on campus, but this year, they shot open at the same time as the dogwoods. In fact, things were so out of order that the redbuds–which normally bloom way before the cherry blossoms–were still in full bloom.
There are three trees that line one of the paths I walk frequently on campus, so I was pretty thrilled to spend time capturing them. In fact, I shot way more than 100 cherry blossom photos on two very different days–a cloudy day and a sunny day.
I did my best and whittled my selection down to 15 + a bonus post-blossoms iPhone photo. Still too many, but I hope you will enjoy them with a spot of tea and Toi Derricotte’s poem, “Cherry blossoms.”
I went down to
mingle my breath
with the breath
of the cherry blossoms.
There were photographers:
Mothers arranging their
children against
gnarled old trees;
a couple, hugging,
asks a passerby
to snap them
like that,
so that their love
will always be caught
between two friendships:
ours & the friendship
of the cherry trees.
Oh Cherry,
why can’t my poems
be as beautiful?
A young woman in a fur-trimmed
coat sets a card table
with linens, candles,
a picnic basket & wine.
A father tips
a boy’s wheelchair back
so he can gaze
up at a branched
heaven.
All around us
the blossoms
flurry down
whispering,
Be patient
you have an ancient beauty.
Be patient
you have an ancient beauty.
My favorite lens is a little wonky, so I wasn’t able to get the crisp shots I wanted, but even though these aren’t the best images, I love the bokeh in many of the photos.
Cherry blossom life is pretty short, so I wasn’t surprised to find a blanket of blossoms on the ground one rainy morning just a few days later.
For more blossom love, check out this beautiful time-lapse video from Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
I am joining Parul Thakur for #ThursdayTreeLove every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her latest #treelove post.
Pics and Posts 
Awesome shots, and the video was cool. Terrific post Chandra 🙂
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Thanks, Sheila! And yes, I agree! The video is pretty cool!
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Lovely to see the evolution of the cherry tree blossoms. Great photos and words. Nicely captured. You got some good photos
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Your photos are beautiful, Chandra! I loved the poem as well. The one that absolutely appealed to me the most was the one right above the poem’s beginning.
I would like to ask you for a favor. I supported a lovely child from age 6 until 22 in Kenya, (through Compassion.com ) and she is on her own now. I have been her mother from day one—her decision! I love to share nearly daily emails to her with beauty in them. I’d like to send her that photo (by saving the image and sending it on to her). Would you approve of that? She has started her own hair styling salon and tapes pictures on her wall. I know that she would have it printed and put on her wall.
I know this is a long comment, and I appreciate you taking the time to read it.
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Thank you, Kat! I can do one better. If you use the contact form and send me her address (or yours), I’ll send some prints for her to enjoy and place on her shop walls.
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Thanks, Christine! Hugs…
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I realize I left my comment on Christine‘s post and I’m sorry!
Chandra, I will have to find out her mailing address as now that she is out of the program and on her own, we only email. I will get the mailing address as soon as she tells me. Her name is Piera.
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Sure thing! I’ll await the info. If you can’t get it, let me know and I’ll email some things to you.
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Thank you so much ♥️ !
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Your photos are really gorgeous, Chandra; they capture the spring light and color so well. Your words helped me to envision the people out there enjoying the beautiful trees.
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Awww…thank you! But the words–the poem, at least–are Toi Derricotte’s. I agree though…she really captures the experience!
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The image of the father tipping his child’s wheelchair back so he can look up is as beautiful as the trees themselves.
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Yes!!! That is my favorite part of the poem. I love how the poem captures the giddy-joy of the cherry blossoms experience.
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Beautiful photos. Each one is amazing!
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Thank you! You’re too kind!
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Beautiful pictures and poetry! Loved this so much I am sharing it here and there. I love trees too! But I take poor photos. Yours are fabulous!
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Awww…thank you, Janet! I saw your tweet, and I appreciate you. 🙂
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Beautiful shots & verses!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Absolutely amazing photos! It must be great to sit under this glorious blossoming tree!
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Thank you! There used to be a bench under the tree. I don’t know why it was removed. I did manage to photograph it one year, so “yay” for that!
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Breathtaking shots, Chandra. So beautiful that I don’t have words to thank you for sharing. I have only seen Cherry Blossoms in pictures and this post will remain in my memory for the long time. Even the video was great but honestly, no match to your pictures.
I also think your campus is very beautiful. 🙂 See you on the 23rd.
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Thank you, Parul! You’re always too kind. I agree–our campus is absolutely gorgeous!
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Breath taking 😍
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I think your shots are picture perfect as if your poem. Thank you for sharing these magical wonders. I still am to chance upon a cherry blossom in real.
https://natashamusing.com/2019/05/sunshine-in-my-neighbourhood-wordless-wednesday-natasha-musing/
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