October 4: First Tree

There's a maple tree outside my office window that's always the first to turn in fall. Today it caught my eye, the reddening leaves glistening in the rain. It's the only tree in sight that's changed color to that extent, and the vivid red is so flamboyant that it's as if the tree is showing off. Maybe that's why it's always first, because it wants to be sure to be noticed before all the other trees join suit.

Even one red tree
turns the whole forest to fall.
Who can look away?