Even joy
has an edge
like the gold
that begins to emerge
on maple leaves
in August.
The celebratory
gold leaves
curl inward:
colorful foil
to herald
a new season;
the leaves, little mirrors
of sunlight.

When the pocket gopher
carves tunnels
with tooth and claw,
it harvests plant life
to its burrow,
nature’s honey
spilling underground.

With the flick of a wrist,
the teeth of the can opener
unfasten metal seams,
teeth rotating on an axle
to open windows of light.
To become fire,
first the maple leaf
unbolts the chlorophyll;
then it shines.