Rose Tree

seeking shelter
in the pink rhododendron
one solitary ant





Just back from North Carolina, wild rhododendron country, but this one is blooming in my front yard. Breathtaking to see each morning when I first look outside.

In the North Carolina mountains, these plants grow very high. I've seen them 15 or 20 feet tall. So far this year, the mountain ones were not yet in flower, although I did see myriad buds. In town and along the roads in full sun, they were gorgeous.

Today's title come from the Greek origin of the name, rose tree.

And here's a lovely quote I came across in the HSA (Haiku Society of America) News. "Haiku is a way of connecting to the universe. A little song. A postcard to God....There are as many ways (to write haiku) as there are stars, yet only one really matters--your own." Recently deceased haiku writer, Susan Marie LaVallee wrote those lovely words.