Trees Flowering

 This is a magical time of year ... maybe only a week long when the trees in our yard all seem to bloom at once. There are magical tassels hanging on all the maples giving the blue sky a blush of gold. The redbuds have fired, too ... and fire is the word. The simple, skinny branches have swollen with purple-red flowers and the view has become suddenly startling.

 This is my favorite, though. The maple closest to the kitchen is flowering and the flowers descend on bright, yellow threads. There is no time, not even fall when the tree burns red, that I find it as magical as this. I walk by the back door and I forever am compelled to stop and stare. I can't quite believe that this tree has awakened from its winter quiet to this commanding explosion.

 Looking straight up into yesterday's blue sky, shows the contrast of dark branches and budding gold.

 The tree is nestled near the northwest corner of the house and becomes the largest blooming plant we have here. It is alien, other-worldly. For now, it does not belong to Earth.

 Who could imagine something this large tree creating so many flowers?

 When at last the sun sets, the tree blazes all the more. We are tempted by delicate gold strands, suddenly with immeasurable value and ones which would seem to make a fine necklace if picked at once.

 Looking back at the house from the rear of the property, the maple looms high above the garage and dwarfs the hidden house beneath. It will be a common green in another week, all distinction lost.  Now are its glory days.

 The dogwood blooms its pink flowers, too, though not so impressive as when first bought a year ago. It will have to settle in, find its way, accept that here it will spend all its days. But the redbuds - Dad's favorites - are now at their peak and command we see pink-purple in their direction.

 This is an easily broken tree, fast to root beside local roads. It is a natural here and seems to grow anywhere. And yet these seem to have a short life, quick to spread and grow, quick to die. It is too pretty to last.

 May is just over a week away and all these sights will become memories for another year. They come and go with rapid abandon and their brief blooms are where the sweetness lies.