<center>Cherry blossoms are a gift to the human eye that unfortunately are fleeting in nature. They are the party guests that arrive only to give a "thanks for hosting" present, before carrying on with their night's plans. This poem celebrates their beauty.</center>

<center>![IMG_8257.PNG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmf1txueEWSerxUJy3WbUasmt7W6EZe6NDsFgTwS6D5E2A/IMG_8257.PNG)</center>

<center>**Spring Volcano**</center>


<center>For some there is no budding -
No time for growth.
They are bare one week,
and glistening in celebration the next.
From underneath the sky is a wavering pink. 
And in the wind the butterfly pedals 								
flee the branch, ebbing onto the grass; 
For the cherry blossom is the gentle spring volcano.</center>

<center>![IMG_8256.PNG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmceLNGdUqGRxjJxDwK3me75opfCLJDNB9gRdwUwapyZDu/IMG_8256.PNG)</center>

<center>*Both images were self-photographed in Washington, D.C., 2017.*</center>

- <center>Zach Levitan</center>