late summer

there’s a stillness 
a quiet resignation
as summer fades

the trees slump
in the August heat
a few surrendering
to the inevitable
shades of sage, 
amber, crimson…

leaves break free
first to dance
with the wind

first fruits 
of autumn’s harvest 

first to return
to Gaia’s embrace

~kat

The leaves of this red maple tree at the edge of the woods have always turned well before autumn becomes official. No deep frost needed…no cool temperatures. It may even be a bit earlier this year than last year. I’ve been watching it transition in late summer since it was a sapling. The first year I was worried, but as the years have passed and the tree has grown taller, I have come to expect it.

I decided to research this to find out why. I discovered that this has been happening all over. There are various reasons given. Depends on who you ask. Some say it is excessive heat, some say draught. Some say too much rain. And some simply blame it on global warming.

I also discovered a fascinating fact about red maples in general. Their gender can be a very fluid thing. Some are primarily male, some are female, some are primarily one or the other with a few flowers of the other gender on the same tree. And then there are those trees that that shift from one gender to another. Polygamodioecious hermaphrodite trees…imagine that!

Much love, peace, and glimmers to you.

~kat ✨✨✨💚✨✨✨