Words, even ones cleverly picked and organized

could never describe a maple’s dying leaf.

Red, Portland orange, or even poppy give

only part of the story. Ivory, daffodil, lemon, canary,

gold, and chartreuse could provide more clues.

You might need saffron, mustard, or even amber but don’t forget

android green, apple green, and for irony, bud green.

Add sand, goldenrod, and a dark enough tan

to give painters a recipe for something

a child could tape to a south-facing window

to be animated by light.