Swan song

I stare at the cherry blossom tree from my window

A careless breeze casts hundreds of petals through an invisible tunnel, like confetti thrown too early

It glitters as it catches splinters of sunlight, making their movement through the air one of choreographed beauty

The wind now out of breath allows the pedals to fall gently, caressing  the unforgiving ground 

Where, over time,  their color will fade, their edges will fray until eventually they will be swallowed up  into the soil, gone forever 

This moment last but a second yet my heart is overwhelmed with grief 

Grief that is too severe for such a short expanse of time 

A mere casual observation 

But my heart holds steadfast

It will not let the memory go as easy as the petals left the bark

How this lesson serves to remind me
That the greatest beauty lies in the greatest tragedy 

~ S Enslin