The row of cherry blossom trees along the Nagase River is on the verge of blooming.  The red bonbori lanterns are lined up in a row, and the strips of tanka, haiku, and senryu are swaying in the wind.  Old trees that have grown older have knots, and the knots at the base have buds directly attached to them, and some of them have flowers.  Perhaps the water temperature has risen, and large carps are swimming in groups.  When I opened my smartphone, my favorite Uemura Shoen’s “春芳(Fragrance of Spring)” jumped into my eyes. Sakura is drawn conservatively beside the beautiful woman who does not need to say. It is a work with a pure and dignified female dignity.  Invited by the “Sakura Festival” written in the bonbori, it must be crowded with cherry blossom viewing visitors even tomorrow.  Now, people in wheelchairs are just approaching from the other side.  It was a day when I could feel the ripples in my heart.

長瀬川沿いの桜並木も開花寸前です。紅いぼんぼり提灯がずらっと並び、短歌や俳句、川柳が書かれた短冊が風に揺れています。樹齢を重ねた老木は節くれ立ち、根元の節くれには直に蕾が付き、花を開かせているのもあります。水温も上昇したのか、大きな鯉が群れて泳いでいます。スマホを開くと、大好きな上村松園の『春芳』が目に飛び込んできました。言わずもがなの美人の傍らにはサクラが控え目に描かれています。清らかで凛とした女性の気品が漂う一品です。ぼんぼりに書かれた「さくら祭」に誘われて、もう明日にでも花見客で賑わうに違いありません。今は、向こうから車椅子の人が近づいてくるだけ。心のさざ波を微かに感じる一日になりました。