Leaf Pigments

Trees speak their names: red oak and maple,
yellow poplar — obvious, no?
But red just mimes the aging shift
of emerald leaves to the dark ruby
of a ’95 Diamond Hill Cabernet.

While on the topic of wine, the gingered
leaves of winged elms must be savored, like
a glass of 32 year-old Chateau d’Yquem,
but this really isn’t about la vie
bourgeoisie modern.

Though brie and sushi bloom even on
Winn-Dixie’s shelves, and Lil Nas X’s Old Town
Road speaks from every diner jukebox. No —
it’s about the ruddy hands of scarlet oaks
melting into wrinkled copper pennies.

And that every leaf-fall reminds
me of your passing eight years ago.

Gary D. Grossman
Chewers by Masticodores
4 March 2025