Barely a week and the cherry blossoms are gone. The white and pink blossoms have given way to thick red and green leaves waving in the breeze. Mysterious purple flowers grow up along bushes, paper-thin and scraggly. The wax-like lotus blossoms have finished their backwards yogic recline and fallen to the ground leaving behind tall green trees. Life ( Read more... )

I went to Bubheungsa temple, the temple where dreams come true. I dreamt of cool air and lion-headed mountains and I moved through the misty forested hills. Lotus lanterns blossomed with nightly prayers and ancient bones and their wisdom whispered through the mountain.

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I went walking tonight. I've never lived in a city without starlight. Too far and too quiet, the stars blink behind the city, so I look for other sources of beauty. Spring is here. I walked past all the cherry trees today, no longer naked. Soft pink flowers cling to their branches, delicate masterpieces, even in the artificial light.