Faint Light
The plants in my garden have begun to sprout new leaves. When I open the window, I can hear Japanese white-eyes singing. On my way to work, I pass many cherry blossom trees. Until recently, these bare branches embodied the vestiges of winter. Before I knew it, they had buds, blossomed, and fluttered in the breeze, eventually losing their leaves. No matter how much I gaze at the face of my clock, the hands moving across the numbers seem so impersonal that it's difficult to sense the passage of time. Yet, witnessing the changing of the seasons makes me realize that time truly does flow. Returning home at night, I notice the spoon-shaped Big Dipper floating directly overhead. Why does this seven-star, composed of second- and third-magnitude stars, appear so bright? Upon investigation, I discovered that the starry sky in spring is not oriented toward the center of the galaxy, making the Milky Way invisible. However, the dark night sky at this time of year delivers a faint light that would otherwise be overlooked. Looking through a telescope, I can see extraterrestrial galaxies. Taking a deep breath while taking a walk, I notice the sweetness of the spring air. Looking around, I realize that the wind must be carrying the scent of magnolia flowers. I always think of that girl I just met. I want to carefully preserve in my heart the memories of our days, filled with sights, sounds, and scents.