May Flowers Exhibit – 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐢, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢” – -𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟑:𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌.

I am thrilled to share this exciting news with you, friends, and fellow poets, who have been a significant part of my poetic journey.

My ekphrastic poem titled “𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐢, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐚𝐤𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢” has been selected as one of the esteemed poems for the “𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬” exhibit. This is a significant recognition of my work. My poem will be read and displayed at the prestigious 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐨 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐟𝐢𝐞𝐥𝐝, 𝐂𝐀, during the art reception and poetry reading. The poem is based on the oil painting “𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐦” 𝐛𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐲𝐧 𝐀. 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧. Suzanne Bruce, Poet Laureate, gave me the news this morning.
The reception, display of the poems, and reading which will take place on 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟏𝐬𝐭, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟑:𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌.

The poem reflects on the lives of three samurai warriors:
Renji Hitsugaya, Ichigo Kurosaki, and an unnamed Daimyo who grapple with the burdens of honor, duty, and the toll of endless warfare. It contrasts the beauty and transience of cherry blossoms (sakura) with the warrior’s internal struggles, emphasizing the longing for peace and a simpler life.

The poem explores themes of honor, loyalty, the cycles of life and death, and the quest for tranquility amidst chaos. The imagery of cherry blossoms (the painting) serves as a metaphor for the fleeting nature of life and beauty, representing both the samurai’s heritage and his yearning for peace.

Note: The Cherry Blossoms exhibition piece is on display now