By Joanne Jagoda
When I’m on my afternoon meander
and I’m certain I’ve seen the most exquisite fall trees of all
and there could not possibly be better ones
a little further I discover another
and another
and then another
a buffet of pistache and sugar maple,
dogwood and scarlet oak—
shouting out to me in all their glory
until I feel like I’m awash
in the largesse of nature’s palette—
stunning brushstrokes
of gold, burgundy, and vermillion
and I take out my I-phone trying to capture
this abundance of riches,
but I never get the photo right
and really I shouldn’t try
because otherworldly beauty
can’t be captured
with a mortal I- phone lens
instead I’ve learned to stand still
and breathe
because I know this final show will run out
like a smash hit on Broadway on closing night
leaves will scatter like discarded jewels
in the next big storm
overfilling the gutters and roadways
and once again I will be filled with longing
Photo by Andy Holmes on Unsplash
Joanne Jagoda 