Tanka in Bloom

The beauty of flowers adds color to the season. The shapes and colors of flowers not only attract us at large but also influence our moods and emotions to a great extent.The quarter of a century that I have lived on the island of Guam seems like an extremely long time. At other times, it seems to have passed so quickly. Guam has been home to the most productive years of my life. At the same time, flowers (such as hibiscus, bougainvillea, plumeria, and flame tree blooms visible everywhere in the island) became friends who soothed me. Flowers populate my tanka poems.After living on a small island for many years, it was my dream to live in a big city. But my new home is in a suburb, and it lacks the advantages of city life. At first, I felt isolated and unsatisfied. However, I find solace in the changing of the seasons as I see it through flowers, trees, and plants. Green plants and colorful flowers are a refreshing addition to daily life. And, in particular, I realize that it is important to find joy and satisfaction in what we have now.