Absolutely from Scratch

Every year a given tree

creates absolutely from scratch

ninety-nine percent of its living parts.
A big elm

in a single season

might make as many as 

six million leaves,

wholly intricate,

without budging an inch;

I couldn't make one.

                                     Annie Dillard

                     Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

Without budging from my studio, scratching my head in wonder and bemusement, unlike Annie Dillard I do create—absolutely from scratch—a handful of wholly intricate leaves! Woo hoo!

Firebursts
4 x 6"; acrylic, ink, and collage on card stock
abstract
2019

An improbable history:

Firebursts