18 May 2022 (hummingbird)

a hummingbird

completes his migration . . .

flowering quince

25 May 2020 (quince)

afternoon heat

a goldfinch sings

in the flowering quince

May 29: Quince

amazed again each spring

by the color

of the quince blossoms

May 15: Guide to capturing a quince blossom

I recently picked up a copy of Red Pine's translation of Guide to Capturing a Plum Blossom, by Sung Po-jen, first published in 1238. Not a typo--this was written in China almost 800 years ago. The concept: 100 paintings of plum blossoms in varying stages, from Covered Buds to Forming Fruit. Each painting is accompanied by a poem that refers to the plum blossom's physical appearance, as well as many layers of associated cultural and political symbolism. Really, some quite lovely political critiques.
 
Sung Po-jen was clearly obsessed with revealing the essence of his subject, and he was so successful that later painters didn't bother to study the real thing anymore--they just memorized his book and its 100 stages.
 
Reading this book has made me look at my flowering quince's ruffled, peach-colored blossoms with new eyes.

Radiant blossoms--
plum or quince inspire poets
of any era.