Growember

Streamers strung with many-colored flags dance above an enormous blue placard emblazoned in white with the word Growember! A young barista tells me that later there will be many pretty girls. It is said that there may be rain as well. Older women are already using long poles to knock the flowers off the trees, and these they will gather for offerings. Nature gives continually of itself. It has a purpose. It is in use most truly observed. Which is something even the bees and the butterflies know. This is my body, given for you. Today we will celebrate something, in color, with pretty girls, and rain. But first, as it turns out, we will be shaken by the wind, and many of the luscious petals will descend and splash on the pavement like red and yellow strokes of paint. The beauty of such small things as these can be something like heartbreaking.