Photographed this poppy spring bloom in Phoenix, USA

There was an unusually high amount of rain during the end of winter.  There was even a bit of snowfall on the parched dry quiet cold desert land.  As spring came around, the seeds lying dormant in the desert sand came alive.  One wouldn’t be mistaken if they believed the sand with its seeds to be dead.  Nothing has sprung out of the land for years, apart from the odd rodent and reptile.  But this spring was different. It was surprising, colorful and beautiful.

The seeds sprung to life with energy they’ve been holding back for more than ten years.  In two sunrises, the brown land was converted to a green grassy meadow and within another week, there were tiny colorful blooms all over.  There were yellow poppies, white ones too, violet lupines, amber brittlebushes among many other colorful personalities.  Each having its own attitude to boot!  A sight more colorful than anybody has ever seen for ten years came forth.  A sight unbecoming of a desert.

The cactus, though taller, more rugged and the resident authority, were dwarfed by these tiny colorful poppies swarming on the ground.  They were surprised of course, their pride hurt a bit, maybe, but they were very glad to see the offspring of their old brethren.  The reptiles, rodents and even birds all came out in good numbers to see this spectacle.  Even the ones allergic to pollen!  It was a short lived affair, everyone knew, even the flowers themselves.  And that is why it had to be cherished more.  Nobody knows when the weather gods will allow their children to bloom, maybe next year itself, maybe ten years, hopefully not that long.  But no amount of wishing or “should cherish this event” had any value or power over reality.  All everyone could do now is to thank the weather gods and enjoy the spectacle.  Momentarily forgetting that they are all in a desert.