OCR Text |
Show CHRYSALIS PAGE 34 It is not frost that turns these leaves to vermillion, but a subtle change in the internal chemistry of each leaf. During the summer each leaf prepares for its own death by forming a light furrow of cells at the base of each stem. Sometimes it is visible to the eye. Beneath this layer of cells, another layer will form cells to heal the scar when the leaf dies and falls. I remember names of things I have not thought of since I was in school - gymnosperm, chlamydemonas, gloecapsa, oscillatoria, nostoc, anabaena, earth stars and destroying angels. All my bells are ringing. Downy mildew of grape, white rust and red summer rust, But I tire easily and we have to go home too soon. We gather the brightest leaves we can find to take with us. I keep touching the babies. I love their softness, the clean smell of them. We all pile into the bed after celebrating the day with hot chocolate and cinnamon toast, and we count our leaves. We read "Whose Mouse Are You?" and "Fish Is Fish." They are beautiful children, spectacularly beautiful, with long lashes and sky-blue eyes, and thick, dark brows like Mark's. "What time is it?" Remy asks, yawning. "It's almost bedtime." "Do you have a watch?" |