10/21/2018
秋天了,小院的清晨涼意陣陣。久坐院中,一件外套已經不能禦寒。
當我眼睛從書本中抬起,一眼就瞥見那邊牆角的牛油果樹。昨日終於砍了它了,現在隻剩下了光禿禿的杆子筆直地站在那裏。
已經記不清是哪一年開始種下的,隻記得是從一個吃完的牛油果核發的芽,隨手埋在土裏,根本沒想過它會長那麽高,快高過鄰居家的二樓屋頂,繁茂的枝條伸展著、張揚著,打破了原本的和諧。雖然鄰居並不曾抱怨過(當然,他們家的香蕉樹不僅擋住了我的窗戶, 葉子還伸到我的院子,見圖三),但是其間的隱患讓我們不得不下了決心。
想來這樹在後院一定有七八年了。早些年,隻長葉,不開花,更談不上結果。但是,寬大的樹葉卻被蜂鳥傾心鍾情。蜂鳥媽媽一而再再而三地來築巢生娃,不結果的牛油果樹像是四“巢”元老,有了它的用武之地。
最近三年,終於開花了,每年數百朵小花密密麻麻,落了一地卻不見果實的影子。直到今年四五月,兩顆牛油果從一樹的繁花中不負眾望脫穎而出,至今依然青青如故,高掛樹中。
或許,2018年可以算是收獲的一年。種了四年的火龍果,今年第一次勉勉強強地結了一個,讓我喜出望外,如獲至寶地從家中帶到了西雅圖,和女兒一起品嚐了今生吃過的最好吃的火龍果,皮薄,汁多,甜;百香果種了三年了,今年是頭一年結果,果子倒是結了一些,然而百香果徒有虛名,抑或是後院的陽光太少,結出的果子沒有什麽水分,隻有幹癟癟的籽和那麽一點點獨特的香味。再有就是在這兩個牛油果了,昨日砍下時又青又硬,尚不知會不會變軟,尚不知味道如何。
不過,我已經很心滿意足了,巴掌大的小院,陽光照不了幾個小時的地方,本來就沒有多大奢望,而它們終也沒有讓我太失望,雖然寥寥幾個不起眼,但卻實實在在是來自自家的後院,它們是在我的目光中、期盼中一日日長大、開花、結果,朝夕相伴了我這麽些年。雖然今日無奈,樹(牛油果樹)藤(百香果)皆已被砍,然而它們偉岸繁茂的身影卻存留在記憶裏、文字中,伴著綻放的笑容、綽約的風姿一起載入博客:))
特附拙詩一首
告別
八年後的一個周六
空氣中依然彌漫著夏的執著
我作別
你青青如故的身影
揮一揮衣袖
繁枝紛紛墜落
七年望眼欲穿的等候
等來了你的花開花落
等來了最後的秋果
卻又在此時此刻
選擇了與你的分手
但至少
我見證了
你七年的相守
一直在那個角落
無怨無悔
伴我春夏秋冬
默默地
我收拾起你的所有
沒有憂傷 沒有落寞
沒有難分難舍
隻是拚命地嗅著
你殘留的香味
想把你永久
鎖進記憶的深秋
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The idea of cutting down the avocado tree has been simmering for a year or two, as the tree grows bigger and taller that could potentially pose an issue with the neighbor. When I first planted it from a seed more than seven years ago, it was just an experiment, never expecting it to soar roof-top as it craves for more sunlight. I know cutting it down would make us worry free. But can I bear to see it to be cut, a tree that has silently been part of our home for so many years, a tree where hummingbirds nested four or five times, and a tree that starts bearing fruits now?
No matter how grudging I am, I know it is time. So, last Saturday morning, we borrowed from our friend a sharp long cutter. With a ladder, LD climbed up, while I stood underneath watching and helping. Two avocados, heavy and still green, hanging high up amid leaves, in the places that I know so well now, were beckoning me. I paid my final tribute to them, being thankful that at least I waited for the day their fruits were borne.
On the early Sunday morning the next day, I customarily stepped out to the backyard for the fresh air, with a book in hand. My attention was inevitably turned to the spot where it used to have a big shady tree, but now only a nude pole. My sadness was momentary, as it was soon overcome with the bliss of reading in a brighter backyard, where sunlight was now shed fully, without any obstruction.
A coin has two sides, so does everything in the world.
火龍果很漂亮。真不知道這些fancy水果還能在家裏種出來。
暖冬的英文篇不是簡單的翻譯阿,雖然開始於同一個故事,但自成一體,有自己的韻味和靈性,很美。學習了。
我們自己又種了更多的果樹,要多年以後才有果實。確實是前人栽樹,後人乘涼。
妹妹真是不張揚的綠手指,院子不大,還有那麽多果樹結果,太羨慕了。
我曾經種過一顆牛油果核,一點不嬌氣而且長得很快。後來聽說這樣種的牛油果樹不會結果,就拔掉了。妹妹的實踐證明這個說法不太對。牛油果的樹長得很大,也許會破壞房子的地基,砍掉了不舍,長遠來說是個正確決定。
火龍果吃過一次,沒什麽味道。
讀暖冬的文總會有一種說不出來的感動!
下次活動砍啥呀?別忘了事先通知一下哦,:))