Magnolias

Warm, sunny days have hastened the blooming of all the spring plants. While everyone waits breathlessly for the cherry blossoms to open, the magnolias are already putting on a show. Near the Smithsonian's Moongate Garden, their branches arch over both sides of the walkway, forming a quiet pink bower. Petals drop all around me, joining the pink drifts. This is not the half-hearted barely-pink tint of the cherry blossoms. Magnolias claim every shade of pink right there on every petal, shading from a hearty deep rose out to pale pink at the edges. Finely traced streaks of burgundy run from base to tip. I stand and look at all this perfect pinkness on a perfect morning.