Away in the Northern Hemisphere, the leaves are falling (I am reminded online) – leaves of gorgeous reds and yellows. In temperate Tasmania, where I grew up, sometimes, in some places, we saw such colours in Autumn, on trees introduced by the early European settlers. Here, now, in the sunny sub-tropics, my final settling-place, we seldom see anything but evergreens. I don’t mind that; I love the sun! And I love to be surrounded by all-year greenery, in this sweet rural town where trees line the roads and even the most urban streets.
In the Southern Hemisphere, we have Spring right now. One of the few deciduous tropical trees, the big frangipani that spreads all over the front wall of my home, has been starkly bare all winter (after its huge brown leaves littered the lawn; nothing pretty about them). Now it quietly begins to revive, putting forth tiny, spiky shoots at the ends of a few branches. I look forward to the fragrant flowers which will come.
ageing, slowing
I watch the seasons renew –
how much longer?
Written for Haibun: "The Fall of the Leaf" at dVerse.
I enjoy your views from Australia, Rosemary, and have always had a soft spot for the frangipani. Thank you for reminding me of its beauty. I hope you see many more seasons yet to come.
ReplyDeleteI do love it! And it has doubled in size in the 15 years since I moved here.
DeleteI think "all-year greenery" is a nice alternative to our bare trees in late fall and winter. Your haiku ties in so beautifully with your prose.....those fleeting moments of time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mish.
DeleteGood to know about your part of the world. Fall doesn't come where I live too.
ReplyDelete*Smile.*
DeleteSo different to live in such climate... I am not sure I could handle it, even though the long darkness here is hard to stand.
ReplyDeleteI think it's partly a matter of what one is used to. I once lived a few years in a region I would normally consider far too cold, and I noticed that I did adapt somewhat over time.
DeleteLove your description of spring in your part of the world. May you and the frangipani have many more happy seasons.
ReplyDeleteThank you kindly!
DeleteAh, we share the season, Our frangipani is slowly making signs of life. The Eucalypts just shed all year, so if it wasn't for the deciduous autumn would be poorer. Love the haibun, your haiku caught me by surprise, a sober reminder of our own autumn.
ReplyDeleteThanks for such an attentive reading!
DeleteThe image of two leaves against a backdrop of brick, cutting like scissors into the space where they seek room to grow, was spur enough for me to leave a comment! Long time since I last said 'Hi' to you! But your name came into my mind this afternoon, and I had to seek you out :-) Love 'n' hugs from UK Pen x
ReplyDeleteI think of you too, from time to time, affectionately. Lovely to hear from you!
Delete