i had a beautiful subject all set up this afternoon. a five-fingered virginia creeper the color of a gulf of mexico sky 20 minutes before sunset. it sat on the dining room table until almost dinner time, when my 13 year old son in the midst of a testosterone surge swiped it out of the way and tore off four of the five leaves. i thought my still blog shot for the day was ruined until i looked at this photo, and decided it was more poignant and compelling than any perfect virginia creeper specimen could have been.

five-leaved ivy vine

uzès, languedoc, france