I’ll Be Waiting Among The Cherries

April 2021 Poem-A-Day Challenge, Day 14

I’m going to blur the lines a bit on today’s challenge, which is to write a poem inspired only by stimulus from where I’m sitting. We have two cherry blossom trees right outside our living room window (I’m looking at one right now!). They aren’t blooming yet but should be any day now. My poem isn’t about those trees, however, but I used them as inspiration to pen a piece about a special trip nine years ago today to see the incomparable collection at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden—my first time ever! That was one of the best days of my life … second to my wedding anniversary, of course.

I’ll Be Waiting Among The Cherries

The Brooklyn cherry trees
Bloomed late that season
You ardently kept watch
Yet claimed you had no reason

Then on this day that April
You planned our special visit
The grounds they took my breath away
Oh my, were they exquisite

The sun so warm and shiny
The air it seemed to sing
Blossoms, blossoms everywhere
A picture-perfect spring

Along the Japanese garden walk
Quick photo by the pond
Chirping birds and croaking frogs
You stared at me quite fond

We came upon the lilacs
Drank in their sweet perfume
Excitement and some nerves crept in
As crowds dispersed, made room

The cherries stretched down yonder
Around the Esplanade
Pink and purple bursts of fluff
A flowery promenade

Suddenly out of nowhere
You dropped onto your knee
I love you, babe, forever
Will you marry me?

Nine years ago, today
Time ceased for you and me
Two lives begun in harmony
And the rest is history

Near and dear, I’ll hold those blooms
That chapter in our story
The sweet cherry on top of everything
Our life of love and glory

*Photo courtesy of A Momma & Her Pen, taken April 14, 2012 at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.