In Berkeley
One sure sign of Spring
Is the blossoming
Of the ornamental
Japanese plum trees.
The City planted them
Along many streets
Many decades ago.
 
They now bloom
At the end of January
Or the beginning of February.
Suddenly then there are
Aboreal fountains of pink
Or light magenta.
 
After a week or so
There are in the breeze
Light gentle showers
Of white and pink petals

And later,
Lovely archipelagoes,
Sprinkings of pink
Lining the streets,
Carpets of petals.