The flame tree in its final stretch,
crown bare, greater half of leaves
spent messenger flames
dulling on the ground,
lower branches still blazing
the last days of their short season.
Yet in that span favored passers-by,
seeking an afternoon’s walk,
stopped, splendor struck,
before them rubies and crimson flames
holding all the beauty of a day, a year,
distilling beauty,
effortlessly flowing it back to the gaze.
Oh flame tree, my entry
in a catalog of thanks,
on a day giving thanks for grace,
thanks for gifts of goodness and
beauty,
not sought not owed,
even so received.
#SporadicAutumnality
