The liquidambar leaves are sidewalk sails
that float immobile on the wet concrete.
The ginkgo leaves replace their green with trails
and lakes of yellow on the winter street.
The raindrops hang like crystal chandeliers
from leafless branches stretched against the sky,
as if a thousand sterling silver tears
were caught about to fall from Nature’s eye.

The shortest day will be upon us soon
(beside its complement, the longest night),
when scarce do several hours pass from noon
to setting sun, and precious is all light.
Now teasing Nature, as she shrinks our days,
bestows on us her very softest rays.