I’m a sucker for sumac
As it blushes shyly
In its early September clothing
Woven in greenery
Fighting for a last gasp of summer
Like the children hefting gargantuan yet fresh backpacks
And crisp uniforms, yet unstained
Awkwardly ascending the bus steps
For the first time
Or maybe,
For interminable years.
The red leaves bleed forth
Like my aching heart
For the sick and suffering
As it also
Rejoices
For the glorious crimson of sumac
In September.
I love how the soundtrack of summer
Gives way to
The voice of cicadas
Through the waft of dill
Through the flickering sunlight at new angles
And the ruby sumac
Amid it all
Calling my attention
And thrusting me back
To my youth.
Oh, my sweet September sumac…
I enjoyed this tribute to sumac Nancie.