＜ イチョウの広場 油彩 F10 2025-01-18 ＞
ほのかにマシュマロの香りがするカツラの黄色い落ち葉、続いてイチョウが豪華な黄金色に変わり、モミジが茜色から熟れた柿色に変化し、最後はコナラの赤褐色が冬空に負けず頑張っていました。1か月以上楽しませてもらった紅葉は年の瀬が押し迫ったころに終わりました。夏の異常な暑さと関係があったのか分かりませんが、昨秋の紅葉は、早々に散った桜を除き、いつもより綺麗で長く続いたきがします。
子供たちの声が響きわたって賑わったのは、イチョウが散り終わる頃でした。絨毯を敷いたように積もった落葉は、子供たちの創造心を駆り立てたのか、いろんな遊びをして楽しんでいました。ビデオゲームに夢中になる年頃の子供たちでしたが、葉っぱを積み重ねたり並べ替えたり、柔らかな感触を楽しんでいるのか、落ち葉の上で追いかけっこしていました。昔から変わらない遊びに夢中になっている様子に心が和みました。-----
Timeless Games
The yellow leaves of the katsura tree, with their faint marshmallow scent, fell first, soon followed by the ginkgo, turning a brilliant golden yellow. The maples transitioned from deep madder hues to ripe persimmon yellows, while the oaks, tinged with reddish-brown, stood strong against the winter sky. The autumn colors, which we enjoyed for more than a month, gradually faded as 2024 drew to a close. Perhaps it was the lingering effects of the unusually hot summer, but this year’s autumn leaves were more vibrant and longer-lasting than usual—though the cherry blossoms did fall early.
By the time the ginkgo trees had shed their leaves, the laughter of children filled the air, bringing the square to life. A thick carpet of fallen leaves became a canvas for their imagination, as they happily piled, stacked, and rearranged them, their play as simple as it was joyful. Though these children were at an age when video games usually held their attention, they were instead chasing one another across the leaves, perhaps relishing the soft texture beneath their feet. It was heartwarming to see them so deeply engrossed in these timeless games.
