"Umeniko" Cherry Poem

Snow flurry
melts on "Umeniko"
or
Snow flakes melt
on cherry blossom.

I am honoured with this translation into Japanese by Hitomi Sato. Thank you!

我が庭の　愛し桜の　花びらに　積もりし雪の　解けししづくよ

waga-niwa-no itoshi-sakura-no hanabira-ni tsumorishi-yuki-no tokeshi-sizuku-yo

About a year ago I enjoyed visiting the hills and gardens around Kyoto and Yoshino. I already had some Japanese cherry trees and have planted more, including three Yoshino. This photo is of my new "Umeniko" just blooming for the first time and next day there was a little snow and I took this picture after the snow flakes had melted to drops.

My wife says the flowers look like ballet dancers.

"Sleeping under the trees on Yoshino mountain
The spring breeze wearing Cherry blossom petals"

Saigyo

木のもとに　旅寝をすれば　吉野山　花の衾を　着する春風
西行法師

ki-no-mo-to-ni tabi-ne-wo-sureba Yoshino-yama hana-no-fusuma-ni kisuru-harukaze

 Saigyo-hoshi

"the breeze is fresh,
the moon is bright;
come, we shall dance till dawn,
and say farewell to age"

e wa kiyoshi                              
tsuki wa sayakeshi                          
iza tomoni                              
odori akasan      
oi no nagori ni                        

Jakuran (1139?-1202)