Gingko trees drop their leaves all at once, 
which may be: true, partially true, or untrue, 
given their cosmopolitan domestication, with 
branches even here in the suburban Georgia 
foothills. Google says “true,” but the gingkoes 
around the corner on Catawba Drive disrobe 
slowly every year: days spent with golden 
kimonos only slightly open. Some say sudden 
grief can turn one’s hair white overnight, an 
eclipse in reverse like coral bleaching, but 
of course once hair climbs out of the scalp 
it’s dead and can’t change its stripes. 
Which reminds me of my sister’s partner 
who empties the checkbook every 
month without regard to kids or food. 
Like tar pits or a moth trapped in amber, 
his anger forever holds him in place. 

Gary Grossman,

Professor Emeritus of Ecology at University of Georgia, has poems, short fiction, and essays in 47 literary reviews. His work has been nominated for Best Small Fictions and the Pushcart Prize for 2023. For 10 years Gary wrote “Ask Dr. Trout” for American Angler magazine. His poetry books Lyrical Years (Kelsay Press) and What I Meant to Say Was... (Impspired Press), and his graphic memoir My Life in Fish: One Scientist’s Journey (Impspired Press, 2023) all may be purchased from Amazon.

Author’s website: www.garygrossman.net

And his blog: https://garydavidgrossman.medium.com/