Two more days, and it will be May Day — the old celebration about halfway between the Spring Equinox and the summer Solstice. Here is a simple hokku from this morning:
(Spring)
Morning warmth;
The sweet smell of cottonwoods
Along the creek.
In the sun of spring, the leaf buds of the native cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa) put out a fragrant resin that perfumes the air. The Native Americans used it medicinally, and one can make a healing ointment called “Balm of Gilead” from the tender, sticky buds.
David
