Saturday, April 3, 2010

The Reign of the Tulips



I could keep publishing cherry pics; I have several dozen more (for heaven's sake) but you get the picture, yes? The peak of the bloom has now passed which means cherry petals are fluttering fluttering from the trees like tiny prayer flags of love, like pink snow. I love the peak of the bloom but I also really love it when they fall. It's like a blessing. It is.

Mourn, if you will, the passing of the pink. Now is the time of the tulip in Washington DC. They are rising everywhere in a profusion of color that will only get more intense as the season progresses. From now until July we'll see new shapes, new colors, appearing every day. Right now it's the tulips, but any day the azaleas will begin to pop, then there will be roses.

I love spring in DC but it is a bit much for me, it really is. Maybe I shouldn't admit it publicly, but I find the beauty, the profusion of life force, the hugeness of spring here completely overwhelming. Sometimes I am such a wimp!

21 comments:

Pauline said...

I originally came here for the photos and found the words roped me in as well. Fall headlong into the overwhelming hugeness and you'll find yourself face to face with the microcosm :)

Reya Mellicker said...

THank you, Pauline!!

ellen abbott said...

I love the profusion of growth and color and the way one thing gives way to another.

Reya Mellicker said...

That's the difference between us, Ellen. You are a summer person. I'm a winter person... vive le difference!

Joy and Phil said...

We were planning a trip to D.C. this spring specifically for the cherry blossoms but open heart surgery side lined our plans. I want to thank you for your incredible photos and insight into your city. The pictures are wonderful and your love for your home is obvious. We will come eventually ... maybe next year! Thank you again for your blog, your pictures and your interesting philosophy.

Unknown said...

Spring in DC & Virginia is very heady stuff--but spring everywhere is crazy-making!

Elizabeth said...

Well, the white, pure tulips showed elegance and restraint.
Yes, it's all thickening and burgeoning around here!
Such a vital upthrust of energy.
I can sort of understand you shrinking a little
but it's wonderful too.

steven said...

reya - the enormity of it all - the collective mind-blowing wholeness - well it's like seeing the big mama of the fractal that you are - really seeing it isn't it?! steven

Gary said...

Reya, your cherry blossom pics really motivated thoughts of visiting DC to witness them first hand. I didn't get beyond thoughts however, but still. Very beautiful.

Tom said...

you have captured the brilliant transluscence of the springing spring bulbs. nifty!

Reya Mellicker said...

Gary, next year?

YES, Elizabeth, the upthrust knocks me off my feet, and YES Steven, oh my yes. Perfectly said.

I'm a westerner in terms of bodymind, born in Denver and having spent many years living on the left coast. I love the seasons here but the life force of spring summer is a one-two punch to the essence in my bones. Whew!!!!

Barbara said...

Thank you for the roses... takes me back to my childhood and my roots.

Peace!

Merle Sneed said...

I love the tulips, the roses, pretty much anything that blooms.

One thing I enjoy about you is that many of us miss the beauty all around us, and you never do.

Reya Mellicker said...

Thanks, Merle. DC is an exceptionally beautiful city. It's in my face every day. No way to miss it! But thanks.

Gary said...

And Reya, let me state once again that I am simply crazy for you!

Ronda Laveen said...

Wow! You guys have one thing blooming after another. Amazing. I can see how it could be overwheming. Our pattern unfolds a bit slower. The tulips are stunning. A different energy from the cherries.

janis said...

I have my big fishbowl vase with clear marbles full of pink & purple tulips right now!
In Indiana we have many tulips, daffidols, hyacinths, crocus',and soon my favorites...Iris'!
Happy Easter my dear Blogging friend~ love to you :)

Val said...

you do live in an extreme place! all that snow for months - then suddenly Cherry blossoms in abundance (tree snow); then ranks of spectacular tulips come marching in! wow - then azaleas, then roses! its like a major pageant, carnival of colour!!
it is a major contrast to that big white out of snow months - i am not suprised you find it a tad over whelming x

Val said...

you do live in an extreme place! all that snow for months - then suddenly Cherry blossoms in abundance (tree snow); then ranks of spectacular tulips come marching in! wow - then azaleas, then roses! its like a major pageant, carnival of colour!!
it is a major contrast to that big white out of snow months - i am not suprised you find it a tad over whelming x

lettuce said...

i remember the wonderful tulips in washington, nearly 2 years ago.
and the redbud.

2 years, wow

Steve Reed said...

I remember visiting DC in May back in the mid-90s and being awed by all the tulips. Coming from Florida, where tulips would wither in the relentless sun, I'd seen nothing comparable. We're behind you in Jersey, so we don't have our tulips yet, but I'm glad to live now in a place where they grow. :)