Ginko Trees in Autumn

Ginko trees line two sides of the school’s playing field.  They’ve been turning different shades of golden yellow during all of November.  I stand at the rear of the classroom while Kojima-sensei drones on with the grammar lesson.  Her English pronunciation is bad, but she’s the type who doesn’t take constructive criticism, no matter how delicately or gently it’s given.  So I stare out the windows to keep my face from reacting to her words. 

They’re best admired from afar, ginko trees.  Although pretty, they stink. 

November 2019