The Japan Meteorological Agency announced yesterday, May 29th, that the northern part of Kyushu to the Tokai region is expected to have entered the rainy season. The rainy season arrived six days earlier than the average year in northern Kyushu, seven days earlier in Shikoku, and eight days earlier in the Chugoku, Kinki, and Tokai regions. The rainy season in May is the first in 10 years for the Tokai and Kinki regions, marking the beginning of a season of prolonged rain this year as well. Under the cloudy sky, on days when occasional sunshine breaks through, two dandelions with their cotton-like seeds are seen side by side, enjoying each other’s company. They close up when it rains, but open up when the sun shines. Dandelions, which adorned the spring, must scatter their seeds before the rainy season to leave behind the next generation. It is the activity of all living things. Occasionally, a breeze blows and carries away one or two cotton-like seeds. When I gently blow on them, numerous seeds flew away. I wonder if the dandelions were pleased. Perhaps I meddled unnecessarily.

気象庁は、昨日5月29日、九州北部～東海地方が「梅雨入りしたとみられる」と発表しました。九州北部地方では平年より6日早く、四国地方では平年より7日早く、中国・近畿・東海地方では平年より8日早い梅雨入りです。5月の梅雨入りは、東海・近畿地方では10年ぶり、今年も長雨の季節が始まりました。曇天が続き、たまの晴れ間が見える日、綿毛を７割がた飛ばしたたんぽぽ二つが仲良く並んでいます。雨が降ると閉じますが、日がさすと開きます。春を彩ったたんぽぽも梅雨までには綿毛を飛ばし次の子孫を残さねばなりません。生きとし生けるもの全ての営みです。たまに吹く風にまた一つ二つ綿毛を飛ばします。ふっと息を吹きかけると何倍もの綿毛が飛びました。果たしてたんぽぽは喜んでくれたのでしょうか。要らぬお節介をしたのかもしれません。