The season of the umbrella tree is here again.

The road is full of cotton flowers in Phu Hoi commune (An Phu district)

In March, the mist still cools the sky and earth in the early morning, I was a little surprised when I saw the purple color of the Chinese clematis again. At that moment, I whispered in my heart: "So the scorching hot season has come again". In the West, there are flowers that seem to defy nature, having to wait for the scorching heat to burn the sky and earth to leisurely bloom, and the Chinese clematis is a typical example.

For those who grew up in the countryside, with enough sun and wind, and feet covered in alum from traveling far away from the fields like me, the o moi flower is like a childhood friend. The children of the countryside a few decades ago mainly played according to the seasons. The sunny season was the time when there were the most fun things to do. When the clouds in the sky drifted in the March sun, the cuckoos called loudly in the fields, the o moi season came, and the kite-flying season followed. Every afternoon, the children chattered and invited each other to go to the fields to fly their dreams on the kites filled with wind, and when they were tired of playing, they invited each other to go pick o moi flowers.

Back when I had a crew cut, I didn’t know what gallantry was, but I climbed up and picked some branches of the cotton-covered cotton tree and brought them down to my friend in the neighborhood. I don’t know what she thought, but her innocent smile with her missing teeth still lingers in my memory. Looking at the cotton tree flowers all the time got boring, so we picked the fruit, peeled it off, and chewed it to taste the sweetness of the countryside. Looking back, that day was almost 30 years ago, the “muddy water” kids of the poor neighborhood now each went their separate ways. Only the cotton tree season has not changed, still giving life the most beautiful days every year.

For the villagers, the umbrella tree is still very dear. Although this tree species has gradually become scarce due to its low economic value, its purple color is still occasionally seen next to human life. Once, when I went to the headwaters of An Phu district, I saw people building water wharfs along the river, under the cool umbrella tree canopy. "People still plant umbrella trees to avoid landslides on the canal banks. Moreover, when the flower season comes, the umbrella tree is very beautiful. If it does not cause any problems, people still leave the umbrella tree, no one dares to cut it down" - Mr. Tran Van Quy (a resident of Vinh Hoi Dong commune, An Phu district) shared.

Also in the An Phu source, there has appeared a beautiful o moi road. If you have the opportunity to drive along the Tam Som canal, connecting Phu Hoi commune to Quoc Thai commune, you will be fascinated by the brilliant o moi flower season. Having experienced that o moi road, I felt like I was reliving my wild childhood. At that time, I met some young boys wandering under the brilliant o moi rows. They played, talked, and picked o moi fruits just like my generation in the past. Suddenly, I realized that country children of all times loved o moi.

People living nearby said that even young people from Long Xuyen City and Chau Doc City come here to admire the O Moi flowers and record the beautiful moments of this rural flower season. “When the flowers are in full bloom, this O Moi road is incredibly beautiful. Many people from far away also come here, thanks to that I can also sell ice cream and shaved ice to them!” - Mr. Tuan (a resident of Phu Hoi Commune) shared.

While talking to me, Mr. Tuan’s eyes did not forget to look up at the bright pink umbrella trees. Perhaps, he and I are about the same age, and we also had a childhood associated with the umbrella flower season coming and going, carrying with it many memories of our youth. Now, he is also burdened with the burden of food and clothing, so he rarely has the opportunity to look back at the flower season of his childhood. Every time he looks back, he still feels a bit of affection but cannot describe it.

Now, the Chinese umbrella tree is gradually returning to people's lives. People also realize the appeal of this tree, so it is included in the list of urban trees. Some localities plant Chinese umbrella trees in rows along asphalt roads. When the flowers bloom, the Chinese umbrella tree dyes a corner of the sky pink, awakening the vision of visitors from afar. At that time, photographers also have a new space to create, instead of having to travel to some remote countryside.

Summer is back again, the season of the Chinese umbrella tree has come again, reminding people not to forget a part of the simple beauty of the West. Hopefully, when you see the fresh pink Chinese umbrella tree in the sun, you will smile like me, remembering the beautiful memories of your childhood.

THANH TIEN

Source: https://baoangiang.com.vn/mua-o-moi-lai-den-a416698.html