Kyoto
A short photo essay
Diminutive tree
sheltering rocks then some rain
singing to the bees
*
Although I was born in the spring, it takes me awhile to warm up to it.
Some days seem ‘too bright,’ and it feels like a garish invitation to a bear who has been hibernating in layers of frost. Often I still would prefer to stay inside, but I go out anyway because it is healthier to interact with nature, people, the sun, and life.
This photo was taken on a day my mood was not fantastic, but the tree reminded me that it was still doing some important work, whether I was awake to it, or not.
The photo itself makes me feel vulnerable. If I think about it, the season itself causes a sort of exposed ‘rawness’ I am not naturally comfortable with these days.
The bees were buzzing around each bloom, and these particular bumble bees were large and fat in a fantastic way. Even though it is a smaller tree and looks nondescript most of the year, its petals fly off in the wind like spring snow, and it is beautiful and also ephemeral and timeless.
*
My grandmother traveled a lot in Asia, and educated me at home on visits with her regarding Japanese artwork; I have many small woodblock prints that inspire me from a simple calendar, and a trip to Japan a long while ago at her prompting changed my life and spirit in important ways that are still in motion today, even though I don’t travel much now.
It’s nice to have a tree in the yard that reminds me of important things, and i’m grateful I was able to take a photograph on a day that in most other ways was a bit intense and grumpy.
