Late Bloomer

Late Bloomer

In October

when the neighbors' trees

flame to russet

it remains green.

We always wonder

if it will stay this way,

its leaves carrying

last spring

like a song that left.

The trees in other yards

flaunt all shades

of autumn,

then toss in the wind,

losing each last bright streak.

Third week in November:

and they've flown. 

But suddenly 

when we've almost given up

the holdout  tree

starts to melt from

green

 to soft butter

opens blanket yellow

as clouds stall

then

Every year

right around Thanksgiving

when the low autumn sun hits,

it fires to unceasing

and uncompromising

yellow gold.

keeping well

into December.

its own 

uncanny 

but welcome 

late harvest.

It never fails

to astound

and we always feel guilty

at exactly the same time

as if our doubt

could have stopped it

from glowing.