The Plum-blossom is the first of the “hundred flowers” to open. It symbolizes the beginnings of things, and is also one of the “three friends” who do not fear Winter’s cold, the other two being the pine and the bamboo.
cited: Fir-Flower Tablets Poems Translated from the Chinese Trans: Florence Ayscough & Amy Lowell Project Gutenberg

A Winter night, a cold Winter night. To me, the night is unending.
I chant heavily to myself a long time. I sit, sit in the North Hall.
The water in the well is solid with ice. The moon enters the Women’s Apartments.
The flame of the gold lamp is very small, the oil is frozen. It shines on the misery of my weeping. ~Li t’ai-Poa Woman Sings to the Air: “Sitting at Night Fir-Flower”
excerpt: Trans: Florence Ayscough & Amy Lowell Fir-Flower Tablets Poems Translated from the Chinese Project Gutenberg

First snow! I see it young every winter,
Yet my face grows old
As Winter comes. ~ The Diary of Izumi Shikibu
cited: Trans: Annie Shepley Omori & Kochi Doi Diaries of Court Ladies of Old Japan

This week’s lens-artists photo challenge – winter – is sponsored by Leya
Beautifully composed Brenda. I really am enjoying the prose you’re including with your posts. I also love your cascading water image this week.
Thank you Tina. The recent lens-artists photo challenge inspire me to explore Chinese writings.
The water shot is amazing.
Thank you, Rupali. I like long exposures that include movement within stillness. Please be safe.
Thanks Brenda.
Soothingly beautiful – words and images.
“Beautiful” is received as soothing. Thank you. Please be safe.
Soothing, yes – and be safe you too.
Beautiful!
Thank you!
I particularly love your 2 b&w photos, they are just wonderful!
Thank you Teresa. I included the color image as winter in Colorado is generally very dry and thus offers variations of browns and yellows. Late autumn and early spring is expected to be times of significant snow fall. Please be safe.
Excellent. Really nice.
Thank you John. I appreciate your supportive comments. Please be well.