10/21/2018
秋天了,小院的清晨凉意阵阵。久坐院中,一件外套已经不能御寒。
当我眼睛从书本中抬起,一眼就瞥见那边墙角的牛油果树。昨日终于砍了它了,现在只剩下了光秃秃的杆子笔直地站在那里。
已经记不清是哪一年开始种下的,只记得是从一个吃完的牛油果核发的芽,随手埋在土里,根本没想过它会长那么高,快高过邻居家的二楼屋顶,繁茂的枝条伸展着、张扬着,打破了原本的和谐。虽然邻居并不曾抱怨过(当然,他们家的香蕉树不仅挡住了我的窗户, 叶子还伸到我的院子,见图三),但是其间的隐患让我们不得不下了决心。
想来这树在后院一定有七八年了。早些年,只长叶,不开花,更谈不上结果。但是,宽大的树叶却被蜂鸟倾心钟情。蜂鸟妈妈一而再再而三地来筑巢生娃,不结果的牛油果树像是四“巢”元老,有了它的用武之地。
最近三年,终于开花了,每年数百朵小花密密麻麻,落了一地却不见果实的影子。直到今年四五月,两颗牛油果从一树的繁花中不负众望脱颖而出,至今依然青青如故,高挂树中。
或许,2018年可以算是收获的一年。种了四年的火龙果,今年第一次勉勉强强地结了一个,让我喜出望外,如获至宝地从家中带到了西雅图,和女儿一起品尝了今生吃过的最好吃的火龙果,皮薄,汁多,甜;百香果种了三年了,今年是头一年结果,果子倒是结了一些,然而百香果徒有虚名,抑或是后院的阳光太少,结出的果子没有什么水分,只有干瘪瘪的籽和那么一点点独特的香味。再有就是在这两个牛油果了,昨日砍下时又青又硬,尚不知会不会变软,尚不知味道如何。
不过,我已经很心满意足了,巴掌大的小院,阳光照不了几个小时的地方,本来就没有多大奢望,而它们终也没有让我太失望,虽然寥寥几个不起眼,但却实实在在是来自自家的后院,它们是在我的目光中、期盼中一日日长大、开花、结果,朝夕相伴了我这么些年。虽然今日无奈,树(牛油果树)藤(百香果)皆已被砍,然而它们伟岸繁茂的身影却存留在记忆里、文字中,伴着绽放的笑容、绰约的风姿一起载入博客:))
特附拙诗一首
告别
八年后的一个周六
空气中依然弥漫着夏的执着
我作别
你青青如故的身影
挥一挥衣袖
繁枝纷纷坠落
七年望眼欲穿的等候
等来了你的花开花落
等来了最后的秋果
却又在此时此刻
选择了与你的分手
但至少
我见证了
你七年的相守
一直在那个角落
无怨无悔
伴我春夏秋冬
默默地
我收拾起你的所有
没有忧伤 没有落寞
没有难分难舍
只是拼命地嗅着
你残留的香味
想把你永久
锁进记忆的深秋
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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.
火龙果很漂亮。真不知道这些fancy水果还能在家里种出来。
暖冬的英文篇不是简单的翻译阿,虽然开始于同一个故事,但自成一体,有自己的韵味和灵性,很美。学习了。
我们自己又种了更多的果树,要多年以后才有果实。确实是前人栽树,后人乘凉。
妹妹真是不张扬的绿手指,院子不大,还有那么多果树结果,太羡慕了。
我曾经种过一颗牛油果核,一点不娇气而且长得很快。后来听说这样种的牛油果树不会结果,就拔掉了。妹妹的实践证明这个说法不太对。牛油果的树长得很大,也许会破坏房子的地基,砍掉了不舍,长远来说是个正确决定。
火龙果吃过一次,没什么味道。
读暖冬的文总会有一种说不出来的感动!
下次活动砍啥呀?别忘了事先通知一下哦,:))