You must be aware of my three pieces of translation in a row on the poems regarding plum blossom over the last three days.  You may ask me why I have a soft spot for plum blossom.  The poems themselves have already told you why.  (Bonus: please also see my previous translation on another poem regard plum blossom by Chairman Mao, 試譯 毛澤東:卜算子·詠梅 at https://classic-blog.udn.com/kkuo0810/109895137 )

Plum blossoms is the first of tranditional the four "gentlemen among flowers," and it is also our national flower. (FYI, the unofficial national flower of China Mainland is that noble, graceful peony.)  But now for the majority of people in Taiwan, plum blossom is not their cup of tea.  Instead, they love that tiny, short-lived cherry blossom even better.  

Watching cherry blossom in the springtime every year has become a seasonal craze for people in Taiwan.  They rush to any location on the island where they can see the flower, as if they were worshiping something.  Much more than this, how can they not go to the mecca of that ephemeral flower, Japan? 

I can not help but associate cherry blossoms with the relics of Japanese occupation.  You may say I am paranoid.  Okay, I am.