In Bloom

In the landscape of Spring,
There is neither better nor worse.
The flowering branches grow naturally,
Some long, some short.

— Ryōkan

Nature unfolds without judgment or haste. She relates to time differently than the modern human mind, which tends to be focused on speed and efficiency. Without slowing down, we risk missing more than pink petals and budding branches. In our hurry and fuss, we might blow right past every nodding blossom and emerging floweret. We might pause, and see the Earth smile in the annual divulgence of her own mystery.