Rebirth and Re-Emergence on Easter, Cherry Blossoms and Magnolia, and Staff Poetry Picks (Including Field Guide to the End of the World)

Happy Easter! Poet with pink cherry blossoms

Considering Rebirth and Re-Emergence on Easter

This year’s celebration of Easter is tinged with reflection on rebirth and re-emergence. The whole story of rolling away the stone, rising and walking out of the cave into the garden where Mary mistook Jesus for a gardener – I mean, imagine the metaphor of blinking in the light after quarantining for over a year, having finally waited your two weeks after your vaccination, and re-entering the living world.  That was me this weekend. It’s still strange to walk into a store or get your haircut – everyone is still in masks, of course (only 17 percent of Washington is vaccinated, compared to 19 percent of the US) – and there are different things – no reading material in salons, or drinks, no waiting areas. (She cut about four inches off the hair pictured to the left – haven’t got a shot yet – and took my hair to a more pastel-y pink.) I went to Molbaks (our local gardening store) and bought flowers and herbs to plant – and the wares still seem a little scant and of course the crowds you’d expect at Easter aren’t quite there. I walked through the bookstore, taking my time and looking at new titles, and instead of feeling scared I’d catch something, I felt…not scared. That’s the big change. My levels of anxiety when out in public are just way less high. I woke up singing Easter songs but I still think it’s a little early for church to be safe. (I saw an outdoor wedding yesterday where no one was wearing a mask – safe yet? I just felt like, not quite yet.) So instead we’re celebrating at home with Glenn’s homemade cranberry-tinted marshmallows and a baked chicken and grape and fennel risotto dinner. It’s a little dreary outside, but I have plenty of reading material and Glenn brought in a hyacinth and some daffodils from the yard so we still feel springy. (Later this week: an in-person doctor’s appointment and a long-postponed MRI, so less glamorous re-entry things.)

Washington Spring – Cherry Blossoms and Magnolia

It’s a late spring this year, but Seattle is starting to finally look like spring – rows of pear trees in bloom, early magnolias, and cherry blossoms of various types in full bloom. I’m looking forward to spending more time outside with flowers as the weather allows – it’s still ten degrees below normal and of course, a little rainy – but Glenn and I are hoping to make our pilgrimage – we missed it last year – to La Conner, Washington to check out the daffodil and tulip fields – next weekend. The Tulip Festival officially started April 1, but only the daffodils are up there yet. Still, Easter weekend is usually so crowded you can barely take pictures, full of tourists from all over the world – I wonder how it will be this year will be different. I know you have to buy tickets for certain times now, which will slow things down a bit. It will be a bit of a return to normalcy for us, traditions and rituals of spring that we usually celebrate, if a little more modestly than we’re used to.  A gradual re-entry.

Staff Picks for Your Poetry Fix – Field Guide to the End of the World

I was so happy to see that Field Guide to the End of the World was a Staff Pick among Librarians at St. Petersburg College. Even when a book has been out a few years, it’s especially happy-making when someone gives it a little attention. So thank you, Librarians (and Kassandra Sherman!) It’s National Poetry Month, so go ahead and buy some poetry to celebrate!