I visited the park. Once when two late friends of mine, a couple, lived near the park, they said “Why don’t you come to the park. Many fruits of the plane tree are lying fallen on the ground”.

There is no playground in the park, which has an irregular shape surrounded by houses. I looked up. The branches of the plane tree seemed to have been chopped before the fruits had dropped. It was a cold day. I went home with a heavy heart.

On another day, I walked along a river to look for March. The riverbed path had been repaired with concrete for walkers, but it didn’t really feel comfortable. Crossing a bridge and passing through the forest of the park which was built as part of the maintenance work at the riverside area, I heard children’s cheerful voices full of joy. My heart opened widely to the warm sunlight. Then I realised those fruits of the plane tree comfortably lying on the ground, under the cushion of dry grass.

Materials used in the flower arrangement
Fruits of plane tree, grass from riverside area

Base
Candle holders acquired from a market in Shanghai City

Photos by Nik van der Giesen