The Japanese Maple by the Cancer Center

By nightfall, this will be
The kingdom of street lamps.
Their black question marks wait

Around the garden court.
But for now, the sunlight
Picks its own favorites,

The Japanese maple,
Glowing cranberry leaves
Vivid as the palette

In a fairytale book.
When you’re not suffering
Too much, you still notice

Things like this, how the world
Is manic with beauty
At opportune moments.