MISS MAPLE
I watched her grow from small to tall.
This year I found the meaning of Fall.
Miss Maple standing near the window,
leaves displaying a red-hot crescendo.
Toward the sky she stretched her limbs,
looking like prayers of silent hymns.
Her dress a flurry of bright red—
a color I wished she wouldn’t shed.
I told a friend about her beauty,
“It could be a male, not a cutey.”
Googling—is my Red Maple a boy or girl?
The answer made my poor head whirl.
Too soon the tree stood branches bare,
autumn’s fallen carpet—cut hair,
naked from chilly days in October,
looking like a loser in strip-poker.
Surprised Miss Maple wasn’t infamous as
Red Maples are known to be polygamous!
My question was very serious—
She could be polygamodioecious?
Now I need to wait until spring,
peek under leaves for Queen or King.
April Ryan
April Ryan is a long time contributor to Northwest Prime Time (poetry and stories) and a loyal member of the Ongoing Writing Group at Edmonds Senior Center (Fridays 1 to 3 pm). Call 206-361-6733 are email ariele@comcast.net for more information.
SHARING STORIES is a weekly column for and about the 50 plus crowd living in the Puget Sound region. Send your stories and photos to ariele@comcast.net. Tell local or personal stories; discuss concerns around aging and other issues; share solutions, good luck, and reasons to celebrate; poems are fine too. Pieces may be edited or excerpted. We reserve the right to select among pieces. Photos are always a plus and a one-sentence bio is requested (where you live, maybe age or career, retired status, etc.).
SHARING STORIES is featured on http://www.northwestprimetime.com, the website for Northwest Prime Time, a monthly publication for baby boomers, seniors, retirees, and those contemplating retirement. The newspaper can be found in the greater Seattle area and other Puget Sound locations. For more information, call 206-824-8600 or visit http://www.northwestprimetime.com. To find other SHARING STORIES articles on this website type “sharing stories” in the search function above.
