Encountering the sublime at the turn of the corner, I am left without words. As cliche as it sounds, but when i walked down the street to my house and glimpsed the early blossoms of the almond tree, they were pink and white in the center, I was taken to a halt. How can i tell you about my feelings that moment. I will try.
When i walked to my house after a long day, I turned the corner, and there in the small plaza nearby, a solitary tree, small and leafless stood. It defied existence because it carried beauty. Blossoms, abundant that sooth your soul. the petal dark pink that converge in the white center, the smell of purity and of transcendence. Yes, transcendence. The soul strives to reach it, but in futility it knows it will never get there, the thrill is in the quest that is never ending. Such is the wandering of the soul. Emerson talked to his Rhodora and said why are you here? and all he can answer is that the reason that brought his existence to being is the same that brought that flower to be. Why are you here? i asked the almond blossom and all i can think of is that it is there because it is there. So i can walk back from home and smell it and think of God. that this blossom is the representation of the purity of the soul, of innocence, of goodness and of love. Vague words are these, but next time you see the blossom of the almond tree, stop and think of my words, and ask yourself why is it there? and how does that make you feel?
AICHA BINT YUSIF 