Relative Something

Check out this one. This is in the yard of a house down the street from us. Some days when I drive past, it looks like it is plugged into some source of illuminating electricity. The vibrancy jumps out from the muted background of everything around it. I don’t think it ever changes its hue. In the spring when it sprouts leaves, I get the impression the brilliant color is because the leaves are new. When I notice the fluorescent glow again in the middle of summer, I catch myself wondering if the tree thinks autumn is already here. After passing it repeatedly through all seasons, it begins to dawn on me that it always displays this day-glow color. I think of it as a gift from the owners of that property, allowing us to continually witness the extraordinary resplendence, and it brings a smile, every time I drive past.