Carpe Diem #66, Winter Camellia (kantsubaki)

Dear Haijin, visitors and travelers,

Today we are leaving 'early winter' and start with 'mid-winter', the second ten days of our December month on classical Japanese kigo. Our first 'mid-winter' prompt is Winter Camellia.

Camellias are evergreen shrubs, bloom in autumn and winter, and very popular because of their great beauty because of their flowers, form and also foliage. They grow in a habit form, have glossy leaves and exquisitve form. Most Camellias at first were imported from Europe but now are grown in gardens from southeastern Virginia thru the Carolinas to Florida an along the Gulf Coast and even along the Pacific coast.

Credits: Camellia

What a wonderful flower this is ... the Camellia ... so fragile and beautiful. Another picture of a Camellia.

Credits: Camellia in Winter (Kyoto)

Awesome, just awesome ...

I found a few nice haiku on Camellia written by Issa:

pachi-pachi to tsubaki saki keri sumi keburi
 
snap and crackle
the Camellia blooms
the coal fire smokes

(c) Issa - 1803

amatsusae umi e mukatte fuyu tsubaki

also facing
the sea ...
winter Camellias

(c) Issa - 1803

hi no me minu fuyu no tsubaki no saki ni keri

without seeing sunlight
the winter Camellia
blooms

(c) Issa - 1803

All wonderfully crafted haiku ... especially the last one I enjoyed very much ... it's a masterpiece I think.
Let's try it myself  

loaded with snow
the deep red Camellia
in the backyard

in the shadow
of the snow packed pine
a Camellia 

winter colors
Camellias blooming -
snow falls

I love it, I love it ... what a joy to write haiku inspired on this classical Japanese Kigo ... really it's a joy. I hope that you, my dear haijin, do love it too.

This prompt will stay on 'till December 11th 11.59 AM (CET) and I will post our new prompt New Year's Eve (toshi no yo) around 10.00 PM (CET) today.