From green to brilliant yellow

The gingko smugly watched

Diminishing oaks and maples

And boldly outshone

Companions of the street.

 

 

 

Yellow flakes fell suddenly  Tuesday

Flecking the lawn along the curb

Golden fans shade for a chipmunk,

Held aloft by his tail,

Elegant as a tea-party favor.

 

 

 

 Glory plunged mercilessly down

 Engulfing the ginkgo

With a gleaming carpet

Skeletal branches reaching up

The gutter strewn with gold.

 

Majesty now a barren prayer     

Glory on the ground

Shrouding the roots with care

The world turned upside down.