Persimmon Time

The tease begins as leaves change
their veils of color—green to yellow
to rust—until a sudden cold breeze
causes them to shimmer loose, slipping
down into a puddle round the trunk,
revealing the array of pendulous fruit,
color of sunset, waiting to be taken
into hand, held gently as the delicate
skin is separated, giving access to
the shiny inner succulence.