Carotenoids and flavonoids are connected with trees? When I think of carotenoids, Bugs Bunny’s favorite snack comes to mind. Flavonoids; the most tasty foods, and a Grammy winning rapper from the 80’s. I wondered what alchemy is afoot that transforms the Midwest this time of year. Reading about the seasonal chemistry inspired me to write a poem.
¿Carotenoides y flavonoides están conectados con los árboles? Cuando pienso en carotenoides, pienso en la merienda favorita del Conejito Bugs. Flavonoides; las comidas más sabrosas y un rapero que ganaba premios Grammy en los años 80. Me pregunté cuál era la alquimia que transforma el color de los árboles. Leyendo de la química de la estación me inspiró escribir un poema.
Autumn tango of biochem
crisp, frosty deadlines
trees dismantle solar panels
recycle chlorophyll.
shield from the sun
with orange carotenoids
or red sugared anthocyanins.
fighting the powers that be
with Flavor Flavonoids.
time is like a necklace
our audience of leaves
scattered by the wind.
–Rebecca Cuningham, 12 October 2022
En español
Tango bioquímico otoñal
fechas de tope heladas y crujientes
árboles deshacen sus pantallas solares
reciclan clorofila.
Se protejan del sol
con caratenoides anaranjados
o antocianinas rojas azucaradas.
luchando en contra de los poderes
con Flavor flavonoides.
el tiempo es como un collar
nuestra audiencia de hojas
esparcidas por el viento.
–Rebecca Cuningham, 12 octubre 2022
Thanks for visiting Fake Flamenco. Please leave a comment. I like catching up on your news.
Gracias por visitar Fake Flamenco. Favor de dejar un comentario. Me encanta saber noticias tuyas.
¡Olé! –Rebecca
Fake Flamenco 
Nice! I really miss the autumn up north. Thanks for transporting me, Rebecca.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for your comment, Susan. Autumn is a special time of recycling our energies and accepting change.
LikeLike
A beautiful homage to fall.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Sadje. Does autumn visit trees near you?
LikeLiked by 1 person
In Islamabad it does. Here we have the type of trees that shed leaves directly.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks, Sadje. That’s cool to know. Autumn varies by region here too. In Austin, Texas, the leaves fell directly without turning colors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I don’t see in Karachi.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, different climate, different trees.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks for your comment, Hammad!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really adore your blogs
Always gives me peace 😃
I got aware about these terms carotenoids and flavonoids last year when I wrote a blog related to these.
I would love to explore such theme again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Devang. Your comments make me smile. Yes, I hadn’t realized food and leaves shared chemical compounds until yesterday!
LikeLike
Flaming autumn leaves do, indeed, inspire poetry 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Rosaliene. Are CA temperatures beginning to cool?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Finally, thank goodness. We’ve even gotten light rain this week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great news. Hope more light rain is to follow.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the lyrical feel to your poem about my favorite time of year, Rebecca.
Those last three lines really resonated….a necklace of leaves 🍃 🍂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Suzette. Glad you enjoyed the poem. The combination of poetry and science was inspired by you and a Madison writer friend.
LikeLike
Oh wow! That made my day. Thank you Rebecca😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
“A necklace of time” beautiful use of chemistry too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Sandy. Whole new worlds are opening up with chemist beakers on the table!
LikeLike
It is amazing!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this poem, especially the ending!
Cheers to you,
Julie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks very much, Julie. I appreciate the comment. What’s new with you?
LikeLike
I’ve been out every day enjoying the colors. Such a beautiful time of year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great, so important to get outdoors in the change of seasons. Helps us stay upbeat in the dwindling light.
LikeLike
Such a clever poem, Rebecca, making use of words that usually look dry-as-dust on the page.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Margaret. Curiosity about the natural world led me to investigate how leaves change color.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A job well done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Margaret!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very clever poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Janet. I wanted to express the wonder I felt about the change of seasons.
LikeLike
Lovely poem and the last shot is amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rupali. That’s from my favorite place, our family cabin.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely place.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rupali. It is close to my Heart.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful leaves and lovely poem!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much! How does the season look where you are?
LikeLike
It hasn’t rained yet so far since April. They keep saying it will rain and then it doesn’t. So the leaves are still green. Some are turning orange but not much. The temperatures are still warm during the day but it’s getting cold at night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s quite a drought. Hope it rains soon.
LikeLike
Thanks
LikeLike
awesome poem Rebecca! ❤ Lovely as always!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Carol Anne. Glad you liked it. : )
LikeLike