Spring of Gorge

Plants are more sensitive to season change than humans.

When the power of northeastern seasonal winds starts to die away,

When the snow cap of Mt. Hehuan has yet to melt,

The Spring has set her footsteps quietly and covertly into the gorge of Taroko.

In the gorge, Taiwanese elms start to awaken from hibernation.

New red buds start to show at the tips of branches.

Then,

They turn fresh green and dark green under the catalysis of chlorophyll…

Not wanting to be left behind, green maples, sweetgum trees, camphor trees,

Chinese parasols, crape myrtles and soapberry trees,

They all struggle to shoot out new leaves,

From the skinny twigs where once there were old leaves.

Standing on Cross-Island Highway looking up,

Or standing on the ancient trail of Zhuilu looking down,

Spring is everywhere.

And more,

The Taiwanese lilies, Pyracantha koidzumii

and Hypericum geminiflorum of Buluowan,

Largeflower Deutzia, Luzon viburnum and datura of Lushui…

They are all blossoming in the warmth of the Spring sun.

Unwittingly,

Taiwan yuhinas, green-backed tits and yellow tits

that went back up to the mountains are heard no more.

Unexpectedly,

House swifts are back in the gorge busy.

The Spring of Taroko Gorge,

Is here to stay.

 

• left：Spring of Taroko