The River's On Fire

I think that the change to some higher color in a leaf is an evidence that it has arrived at a late and perfect maturity, answering to the maturity of fruits. - Thoreau

stone's throw from where i call home

by the newly renovated concrete bridge, allowing steely cars to traverse

where the river carelessly meanders and bends

rooted 'pon one of its banks

is a maple tree

leaning out over the water

precipitously and inconspicuously

i spied it one day serendipitously 

it scorches with early autumnal tints

flaming yellow with outlines of hot red

its reflection burns in the water below

making the river to be on fire

compelling me to join its choir

reminding me that all is not dire

despite the bottom's muck and mire

at least some things wear their true colors and are not a liar

Author's Note

"A queen might be proud to walk where these gallant trees have spread their bright cloaks in the mud. I see wagons roll over them as a shadow or reflection, and the drivers heed them just as little as they did their own shadows before." - Thoreau

Reviews

[Fabian G. Franklin]

Here's to true colors, my friend. I'm ever an enthusiast of Thoreau and Emerson and you capture the vibrant honesty of nature in your observations well here. Bravo.

[Pete]

isn't nature grand? thanks for sharing thoughts fgf.

[emmajoygreen]

The truth of your first stanza points the way to the truly beautiful words of the second one. For me there is a nudge of mysticism, a suggestion to see what's there even tho' neither reality as such nor the norm. The season has created a difference that's magnified by the poet's sight and imagination,

'it scorches with early autumnal tints
flaming yellow with outlines of hot red
its reflection burns in the water below
making the river to be on 'fire'

[Pete]

i've always been sensitive to nature and seem to be becoming more so with age. this tree just radiates its magnificent hues in the sunlight - begging to be written of. the almighty surely outdid himself when he conceived of such glorious splendor. thanks so much for getting it.

[emmajoygreen]

I'm a landscapist.. I love trees.

[Pete]

must be a mast year for the oaks - lots of big acorns everywhere falling on our heads and snap-crunching underfoot.