Text/Chen Shubin
In the flow of the four seasons, there is such a paulownia tree, which always lingers in my memory, and I often think of its strong figure.
In the western corner of Tiexi Park, there is a paulownia tree that has been through the vicissitudes of the past. Although I don't know its actual age, whenever I walk up to it, I can always immediately feel its boldness and majesty. In the third month of the lunar calendar, paulownia blossoms, full of trees and flowers, lilac and elegant, eye-catching, spectacular.
I don't know which person with a heart planted this tree that year? I don't know what strength it has absorbed to grow into today's towering tree? But I know very well that in the spring the flowers are lush and vigorous; in the summer, the green leaves are like a cover, covering the sky; in the autumn the yellow leaves are drifting to zero, and the fallen leaves are returned to the roots; and the winter is resting and recuperating, accumulating energy. All year round, time flies, it has a unique charm, charming style, magical power.
As far as the eye could see, the tall canopy had filled a large part of the sky, and the thick trunk of the tree was rising upwards, stretching its arms vigorously, and its huge roots were like the tentacles of a dragon, which had been deeply rooted in the earth and embraced by the earth.
Even in the hot summer, it can always block the strong light and selflessly bring people a pleasant shade.
Even in the cold and windy winter, it can brave the cold, and stand proudly in the ice and snow with its iron-like body. Although it has endured the wind and frost and endured hardships, it has always maintained its revolutionary nature and stands between heaven and earth.
No, it may not be just a tree that stands tall in the sky, but more like a hero who has returned triumphantly. With its burly body, unique temperament, and deep eyes, it overlooks the vast land and watches the fireworks of the world. In the romantic days of the new era, this majestic paulownia tree will inherit what kind of history, continue to write what kind of glory, and tell what kind of story. I can't help but wait.
I remember that in ancient times, there was a book on Paulownia ,Tong Spectrum," and the author, Chen Yi, wrote poems for Tong and poured his heart and soul into Tong. This Northern Song Dynasty scholar, with the name Tongzhu Jun, was born into a wealthy family of squires. In his early years, he also expected to become an official through the imperial examination, but he had no choice but to fail repeatedly, and then because of his father's early and brother discord, coupled with his own illness for more than ten years, at the age of 60, he planted paulownia in several acres of mountainous land at home and specialized in research.
"Tong Genealogy" is the world's earliest work on paulownia, and it is also a rare masterpiece in the history of forestry. Chen Yi has many fates, and in his old age he spends time with Paulownia day and night. In addition to expounding and summarizing the cultivation techniques of paulownia, the work also bluntly expresses his love for paulownia. The world loves flowers, and I love paulownia, which is the true portrayal of him at that time.
However, in my eyes, this paulownia tree is a wise old man with a mind, a soul, and a character. In close contact with it, touching its upright posture, I seem to have traveled through time and space and history, imagining the beautiful China a hundred years later. Standing next to its mighty shore, I will naturally have an irrepressible impulse, that is, I must say hello to it and salute it!
(Image from the Internet)
【About the Author】Chen Shubin, a member of the Shandong Provincial Prose Literature Association, is currently working at Yankuang First Primary School in Zoucheng City, Shandong Province. He has published many essays and essays in newspapers and magazines such as People's Daily (Overseas Edition), China Coal News, Contemporary Essays, China Education Daily, China Teachers Daily, Qilu Evening News, Shi Dao, Life and Life, Suriname China Daily, Philippine Business Daily, Jining Daily, Zoucheng Literature and Art, Xinzoucheng, Shandong Energy, etc.
Sponsored by the Shandong Provincial Prose Literature Society, Contemporary Prose is a bimonthly prose journal, which mainly publishes the works of members of the Shandong Provincial Prose Literature Association, and welcomes Shandong prose writers to apply to join the Shandong Provincial Prose Association. The Shandong Provincial Prose Literature Association holds various prose activities throughout the year to provide book publishing services for writers. Contact number: 18653131587; submission email: [email protected]
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