Coming along the mountain path
Somehow it tugs my heart
Wild violet
(trans. Lesley Downer)
The mercury slunk down to – 12 Fahrenheit last night. Or thereabouts. At such low temperatures, what difference does it make? All is white, white, white outside. We are waiting until it “warms” above zero to venture outside to the supermarket. The New Year has just begun, winter is scarcely a week old, and already I long for spring! So I solace myself with this reminder. Spring has come in the past, it will come again, and meanwhile, here is a lovely haiku about — it’s anybody’s guess what a haiku is about. It’s not a meaning. It’s a sensation, an emotion, a moment in time. For me, today — it’s hope for spring to come again!
(For the curious, who may have read about the strict required number of syllables in haiku — the number isn’t counted in English, guys! It’s counted in Japanese. Here is the original for you. Sound it out if you like, to to hear the haiku as it was conceived by the great master, Basho. A violet is sumire.)
yamaji kite
nani yara yukashi
sumiregusa
Touch2Touch 
just so – spring has returned before and will return again. You may not want to know that, here in Normandy, the daffodils are peeking out of the ground!
LikeLike
My first thought was a quick No I don’t!
But then I softened. Actually I can be quite happy knowing that somewhere the flowers are beginning again — and happier that it’s you who’s viewing them. Enjoy for me, Joss, and Happy New Year!
LikeLike
When you remember that spring sets itself in motion in the fall, waiting through what remains of winter is not so hard. And I like your attitude toward Joss’ daffodils. It is good, indeed, to cherish the knowledge that somewhere flowers are blooming…
LikeLike
“Spring sets itself in motion in the fall…”
Very Japanese, when setting out a plant or a flower in the tokonoma alcove — it’s always ahead, predicting the coming season. So as we get well into February, I’ll switch the pine bonsai now at the entrance to cherry blossoms. That IS a cheerful thought.
LikeLike
Beautiful post. Our Winter is very similar to yours. I like it, because I don’t have to shovel. I feel bad for all the people without power, though … all of Newfoundland!
Only 74 days to Spring, I believe..
LikeLike
ALL of Newfoundland? Good grief!
We’re lucky because despite the snow and the bitter bitter cold, there was no wind (although it was predicted) and no power outages.
I feel like a Gilbert and Sullivan refrain: 74 days ….. It seems so long! But it’s less than three months.
Thanks, Rebekah. I think.
😉
LikeLike
Yes, in the midst of a monster snowstorm, a power station caught fire..
LikeLike
To quote Stef, ouch!
(Minnesota understatement. 😉
Are there forecasts of a reasonably quick restoration, or is this to be a long lasting disaster?
LikeLike
Quick … 24hrs. Not like all the people here, who lost it before Christmas, and the last one was restored yesterday or the day before..
LikeLike
AAAGGGHHH!
This is shaping up to be a nasty winter. I hope it sees its error soon, and changes its belligerent ways.
A Happy New Year to us all!
LikeLike
The “sad” part is that it’s so incredibly beautiful outside, with everything covered in ice … We’re supposed to get rain on Monday.
Happy New Year..
LikeLike
It is so nasty cold here too, Judith. Here’a hoping for wild violets – soon! Keep the home fires burning and the scarves and mittens at the ready. Brrrrr…
LikeLike
Today there was dense fog, rain, roadside flooding, light snow showers, hail, and ice underfoot — and that was within a 5-hour span. Mother Nature, make up your mind!!!!!!
You stay warm too, Gemma!
LikeLike
We started to day at 60F and are at 21F and dropping. The wind is howling like a banshee and…Yes. Mother Nature needs to GET A GRIP!
LikeLike
You’re right! The Woman is coming unglued!
Get a grip, Lady!
😉
LikeLike
😉
LikeLike
I love the overlap in this post – spring, flowers, poetry, Japan. These are a few of your favorite things?
LikeLike
Ah, you’ve touched the button!
Now instead of grumbling, I might find a song in my heart!!!!!
Thank you, Madame.
LikeLike
How lovely that we can hibernate here in http://www.blogland and see sunny violets, thank you so much Judith! Keep warm and well!
LikeLike
Likewise, friend!
🙂
LikeLike
Wild Violets – my mother brought one home once and I have the joy of them every spring (along with the forget-me-nots) 🙂
LikeLike
Oh yes! Ghastly as this winter is turning out, we’re close to February. And that means closer to the wild violets — which WILL come.
But forget-me-nots? I’ve never had the pleasure, although I’ve seen them elsewhere, wearing their garments of heavenly blue. I hope you will see yours soon!
LikeLike