Saturday, October 11, 2008

Mr. X and the Cherry Blossoms

Inside every story, there is a beautiful journey. Today Mr. X invited me to his Rokujo Mansion a resplendent establishment set amid mountains and rivers, waterfalls and stone pathways surrounded by spring gardens. Low forests of dwarf pines mantled the hills and islets and fringe the shores of ponds. The growth of these trees had been fashioned so that their branches leaped and coiled, suggesting the undulating, animated play of dragons. Winding pathways bordered by clustered growth of low bamboos, camillas and various shrubs and stones lead to vantaged viewing points. Mr. X is man of great aesthetic sensibility...as I have come to see more and more.

We meandered along a path strewn with cherry blossoms to a beautiful garden punctuated by flowing shrubs chosen for springtime enjoyment – red plum, cherry, wisteria, azalea. In the center of the garden was a simple bamboo Tea House that overlooked a beautiful waterfall and rock garden whose sand was raked like waves of the sea. It was so serene and peaceful listening to the flowing water and looking deeply into his eyes.

The room was devoid of any decoration except for a scroll painting selected by Mr. X that revealed the theme of the tea ceremony. The scroll was a beautiful painting of cherry trees and gently falling blossoms over an idealized landscape of indescribable beauty. He smiled at me as he whisked the tea and ladled the hot water from the kettle into the tea bowl. The tea was delicious. As the afternoon sun began to fade, he presented me with a lovely scrolled tied with a pink ribbon…tears filled my eyes when I read his words…

yumeji ni wa
ashi mo yasumezu
kayoedomo
utsutsu ni hitome
mishigoto wa arazu

Though I go to you
ceaselessly along dream paths,
the sum of those trysts
is less than a single glimpse
granted in the waking world.

Attached to the scroll, was a gift box from CD – Marylynn ! It captured the spirit of the day perfectly with its sleek and shimmering colors of lush cherry blossom pink silk with artfully woven grey blue accents that give it depth and sensuality. Marylynn will always remind me of this day spent with Mr. X and the Cherry Blossoms--- I treasure it and so will you....

In this world
Temples of the soul built
As Spirit houses on the water
Caressing,
Soothing
Fulfilling our inner sprits.

I cannot wait to see Mr. X again.

Sita Writer

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