“When we go out among nature, clay is returning to clay. We are returning to participate in the stillness of the earth which first dreamed us.” (John O’Donohue)
High Park was packed with lovers of the natural world and beauty last Friday when I visited. It was a spectacular sight to see the Sakura in bloom. We all enjoyed nature’s bountiful beauty. We weren’t happy to just see the sight, we wanted to take it away with us. Photographers were everywhere. I had my camera along with me and the collages you see here were from that wonderful time.
In case you don’t know the history behind the High Park Cherry Blossoms, here it is. “In 1959, the Japanese ambassador to Canada, Toru-Hagiwara, presented 2000 Japanese Somei-Yoshino Sakura trees to the citizens of Toronto on behalf of the citizens of Tokyo. The trees were planted in appreciation of Toronto accepting re-located Japanese-Canadians following the Second World War. Many of these trees were planted on the hillside overlooking Grenadier Pond (southwest of the Grenadier Café) and around the east shore of the pond.”
- This lady was touching the cherry blossoms.
- Cherry Blossoms in Pink and White
- The High Park train was going by and I took this image. You can see the cherry blossoms behind the train. The other images depict young cherry blossom shoots and branches.
There is a beautiful song about the Japanese Cherry Blossoms that touched me and for those lovers of lyrics, this is the English translation. After this year’s blooms, we will all indeed have to wait another year for this spectacle of Nature’s Gifts to grace us again.
Sakura
Time fades away, we wait for the day For the day when you come back home again We’re standing here, no more crying, no more fear On the lane where cherry blossoms bloom
You were always there when a friend needed care Just one smile and you could cure their pain Because of you, we could always make it through The love you gave erased all of our gloom
So now here we are But no matter how far Away you go we’ll always be with you
Sakura sakura As these cherry blossoms bloom Even they realize that one day a goodbye will have to come So farewell my friend But this is not the end Please stay the same until I see you again
Forget the past, make this moment last And speak only words we truly feel Wish you the best, may your future be blessed And all of your dreams become real
Moments pass us by As we try not to cry Wherever you go never forget me
Sakura sakura As these cherry blossoms fall They dream silently of next spring when rebirth will come to all Don’t you cry now, my friend For this is not the end Keep up that smile until I see you again
Sakura sakura As these cherry blossoms dance Blown in all directions by the wind, their fate is left to chance So farewell, next time, my friend Let’s meet right here again.