Like Words Together Reflections from the deep end of Practice.

Beneath Cherry Blossoms

Errands weren't easy before COVID19, now my anxiety spikes and I'm hypervigilant after going to the post office.

8,819 people have died in the past two days in the USA.

CK's meds got mishandled by one of the mail carriers yesterday. I channeled some of my anxiety into a fierce demand, documented in writing, and got them delivered to our porch today.

Getting angry, having it seen, really is hard. I feel like I'm the worst person, the ugliest stereotype of an angry white woman demanding her way.

I told several people today that I was sorry I was so angry, but my wife needs her medication. It was exhausting.

Then I cut down a bunch of overgrown bamboo. Trimmed a dozen poles to take to a friend tomorrow before admitting that my body was done.

There were several highlights today, besides my wife’s meds. Emptying our post office box yielded several checks and such lovely notes from students. I also got to stand under a flowing cherry, the kind with triple blossoms.

I’m always reminded of Issa’s haiku* when I see these. I feel like we’ve zoomed past trilliums and wood violets, I’m sad to have missed them, so am grateful to stand under them today.

My own Sakura/Issa inspired haiku:

Standing beneath trees,
Filled with heavy flowers.
What a time to live.

Here's Issa's haiku:

What a strange thing!‬
‪To be alive‬
Beneath cherry blossoms.