Snowbells Overhead

 First the Japanese snowbell tree leafed out, a study in green. Then each branch developed rows of pendulous buds, like tiny Christmas ornaments. I visited my neighbor’s back garden a couple times each week and we speculated on when they would turn into bells. Now, when we stand under the tree and look straight up, we see stars everywhere in a green sky. From a distance, it really does look like the tree is full of little bells. They flutter and sway in the wind, yellow stamens soundless inside the bells. For me, it’s a magical first-time discovery, For my neighbor, it’s a welcome ritual of spring.