Seriously! Yes, seriously, tell me, where do some English words come from? Who thought of
them? How? When? Where? Yes, se-ri-ous-ly! Take for example the word, poui. It is pronounced “poo-we”. For a few, pooh may bring to mind the beloved character, Winnie the Pooh. For most, poo and pooh are reminiscent of crying, contempt, disdain, faeces or silliness. On the other hand, we, wee, and wheee have nothing to do with flowers. Or, do they?
Just this week a number of us have been enthralled by the magnificent display of the pouis on parade in the urban areas. A sudden magical, glorious display stopped many of us in our tracks.
I still remember leaving my job, heavy laden and tired, longing for the end to a long day. In the corner of the parking lot, I was stunned by the golden splendor of a little tree and its multitudinous blooms that carpeted the floor. Breath-taking! Yellow snow! Oooo!
Being still to behold this wonder showcased another. Gentle breezes drizzled delicate blooms. Could it be that the breeze puckered its lips to form ‘poo’ as it blew bubbles of yellow blooms? Lovely piles invited you to joyfully throw handfuls into the air.
Memories and magic are connected to the poui too. As a child, decades ago, my walk home would turn into a skip and a trot once I spied the yellow branches waving over the privet. Climbing the tree in our front yard could transport me to ethereal places. In fact, just this week, one of my co-workers, told me that she had lain atop this yellow carpet to take photos of herself. Such a unique yellow background is an excellent idea, don’t you think?
The next day, while leaving work with two colleagues, we went on a poui hunt. Perhaps that’s where the sound ‘we’ comes into poui. Yes, we searched for photo-worthy pouis. We enjoyed making detours and chatting along the way. Simple pleasures of life, isn’t it? And, we would exclaim or squeal versions of “wheeee!”
Trust me, this was a rejuvenating and reenergising experience! What did you do?
Do you realise that the volume of blooms came as a result of the heavy rains that fell days before? As you may know, we have been having a drought for some weeks now. Poo-poo! It has been very miserable with ongoing water lock-offs, dirty vehicles, bush fires, expensive fruits and vegetables that are neither verdant nor sweet nor juicy. It has been so dry that bramble and rocks are visible, the grass is parched, the weeds pose as flowers and dust bowls increase. So dry that you literally beg for rain and are so disappointed when grey clouds appear with false hope.
During the drought most of us took no notice of the poui that shed its leaves till it looked scraggly. To the ignorant gardener it is ugly enough to be chopped down. After all, one could reason, it serves no purpose since its neither fruitful nor attractive?
As a side note, isn’t that the way we tend to adjust to stress and strain too? We feel unproductive or less productive, and, we become unattractive as time marches on. If we aren’t careful, our grumpiness, insecurities and anxiety twirl into depression. We prefer to be alone. We become brittle or tense. We may bawl, “po’me!”, give up or, quit. Drought has a way of drying us up and drying us out. That’s a death knell.
On the other hand, there may be an alternative. You see, ugly death could actually be the gateway to rebirth, if we use it wisely. Yes, fa real!
The poui is quite smart, you know. This deciduous tree sheds its leaves in drought to conserve energy. As it conserves energy, it keeps doing what it should do under poor conditions. Then, when the rain falls, its roots swell and, it helps to prevent soil erosion, siltation and flooding. After the rain, the poui maximizes it potential by quickly converting the water it soaked up to reproduce the flowers needed to cross-pollinate. Otherwise, it, and its descendants, would surely die. Imagine that!
Sure, there are other benefits to the blooming poui. Consider how this tree renergises humans. No one knows whether the drought has ended, but, in the meantime, there is a spring in our steps and our smiles are multiplied. Hope rebounds. There is renewed optimism.
Some of us erase wrinkles and lower our blood pressure when we focus on the blooms blanketing our cars, rather than on the inches of dirt. Look how my colleagues and I got free entertainment and giggles too! Some of us become more patient in traffic as we view the trees along our way. These days we share pics in social media or call our friends with good news. Somehow, the poui helps us reconnect. That’s an electrifying we-wheee! Or, perhaps it’s the French “Oui! Oui!”
Imagine, this shy tree explodes with extravagant blooms that produce effusive praise! Even the 2 year old treelings do something special in this season. Without competing, the poui excellently showcases its best. Isn’t that amazing?!
Truly, we have a lot to be thankful for. My colleague rightfully pointed out that when we are in our seasons of drought or doubt or frustration or disappointment, we sometimes get lost. During his devotion time he noticed that in this life-season he kept more focus on “the one thing that is not working out”. Over time he had a vine-like list of “one things” that could surely make all the difference.
The poui tree became his object lesson. When he glanced at a nearby tree in bloom he realised that everything is seasonal.
Moreover, it is wiser to remember that someone bigger than you and I is focused on every thing. This year’s poui parade showcases the beauty and power of synchronization. Fluorescent clusters of God’s glory! Wow-wheeee!
Truly, these poui constellations challenge me even as they inspire me. Yes, they make me wonder whether I am conserving my own energy in order to maximize potential when the opportunity comes. How should I be adjusting my schedule and expectations in order to survive and thrive? The poui also reminds me to remain vulnerable and confident in every season.
How do you respond when you see the poui in bloom? Will you share below? It surely would be good to hear from you and to see a couple of your favorite poui pics too.
Till we meet next time, walk good, me fren’!
For more information on the poui as well as how the poui can teach us lessons in economics see the following:
JIS video Picture Perfect Pouis: https://jis.gov.jm/videos/picture-perfect-poui/
Nadine’s Lal-Life blog: I Saw What You Did Last Dry Season:
Poui trees flowering earlier or later? Climate change may be a factor by Alina Doodnath Loop News: https://tt.loopnews.com/content/poui-trees-flowering-earlier-or-later-climate-change-may-be-factor
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