RED TILT

4.5 billion years ago
The planet Theia
Collided with Earth
And knocked it off kilter.

Debris was buried deep 
Within the Earth’s mantle
While remnant chunks
Coalesced into our Moon.

Earth, now enfolded within
A vaporous atmosphere
Is subject to seasons
As our planet’s elliptical orbit

Changes the angle of 
Solar radiation
Relative to its 
Tilted axis.

In Summer’s Heat
The Great Swathes of
Chaparral that thrive in
California’s temperate latitudes

Oxidize accordingly.
Now, in the early Fall
They are Gloriously 
Glowingly, Quiescent.