Rain fell today. The last time
it rained, the maple was still green.
Then, day by day, the tree transformed
into a bouquet of crimson and scarlet
so vivid against the azure sky
that I couldn’t imagine a scene
more intense. But today it rained,
and I stood at the window stunned
and staring in awe at the wet limbs
and polished leaves, streaming
their colors across the day as if
it was the first day that color
ever touched the world.