“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”
The words by Martin Luther King Jr leap out at me from his DC memorial wall created from his teachings. Written more than 60 years ago they seem as pertinent now as ever. Security measures seem to be stepped up in preparation for the No Kings Demo planned for this weekend in the US capital. Or is this just where we have found ourselves? Protests not against the man named king but the man who would be king; the king of chaos.
But for this brief interlude, war seems far away, while peace and love surround us. I watch the faces of everyone at the Tidal Basin, and all I can see is happiness and pleasure at the natural marvel.
A Gift from Japan
In 1912, some 3,000 cherry trees were gifted by Japan to the United States as a sign of their friendship. Helen Herron Taft, then the First Lady, together with Viscountess Chinda, the wife of Japan’s ambassador to the US, planted the first couple of cherry trees. Now there are more than 3,750 cherry trees with more being planted this year.
They have survived frosts and the frosting of relations between the two nations, especially in the aftermath of Pearl Harbour when some were damaged by patriots.
Towards the end of March, they bloom. The beautiful white and pink blossoms transfer Washington DC into a wonderland.
I have heard of the splendour of the event for many years, but never visited beforehand. My DC friends studied the predicted bloom, for perhaps like hopes of peace, it is short-lived. Then checking the unpredictable weather, we decided 26 March was the perfect day to see the perfect bloom. Temperatures above 30C were predicted, and blue skies assured.
I was not alone. Several thousand other visitors to the capital, as well as many capital workers who seemed to be taking an extended lunch time marched with me.
The blooming blossom is as beautiful as it is fleeting.
At first, I resented their presence. But then I started looking at rather than past my fellow cherry blossom worshipers. Around the basin, people from all nations congregated, with the only unifying cause their love of natural beauty in an urban environment. Everyone seemed in total bliss.
How to See the DC Cherry Blossoms
Although there are cherry trees all around Washington DC and the surrounding countryside, the highest congregation is around the Tidal Basin.
Just catch the Washington Metro to Metro Center or Federal Triangle and then head for the Washington Monument. Although there are some cherry trees there, continue your walk towards Martin Luther King Jr’s Memorial. There you will soon be engulfed by them. Continue at a leisurely pace around the Tidal basin to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.
In effect the walk takes you through the history of the US. From Washington to Jefferson and Martin Luther King. You can even take a slight diversion to pay homage to Abraham Lincoln. But this is not just a history of the country, but of its friendship with other nations. After all, we would not be gathered here if it had not been for the generosity of the Japanese people more than 100 years ago.
I continue my walk. Stopping to take photos, to touch the incredibly soft blossom (something I had not anticipated), but most of all to share smiles with other people.
Above all else, the words of Martin Luther King Jr, a real king amongst people, reverberate in my mind. “Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” his previous quote continued. The message is loud and clear. The only question is can it be heard a mile across the city in the White House. Today at any rate was about love not hate, peace not war.
National Cherry Blossom Parade
Each year Washington DC holds a National Cherry Blossom Parade. Click on the link for details.