Persimmons

By Kieran

 The delicious Persimmon

 

 
Original artwork and poem by Kieran Gonsalves (c) 2025, inspired by the seasonal abundant persimmon harvest in my neighborhood at this time of the year


Each Fall season, the tree sheds all its leaves to reveal its golden orange fruit
It's like an early Christmas tree festooned with golden globes - how very astute

This is nature at work, the early fruits that ripen emit faint trace of ethylene
A catalyst for the fruit nearby to accelerate the ripening process like a machine

Right on cue racoons, squirrels and flocks of birds swoop down for a sugary feast
Disbursing the seeds far and wide, nature’s way to make sure a few survive at least

Persimmons go back two thousand years in Chinese culture but are now everywhere
We love the Fuyu variety which is both sweet and crisp and juicy beyond compare

Comments

Kieran said…
My favourite fruit after 🥭.Thanks Kieran for penning this Ode (WhatsApp comment from a dear alumnus)
November 24, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Kieran said…
I was always intrigued by how the tree would shed all its leaves just as all the fruit were ripe at the same time. It’s an evolutionary tactic finessed over 2000 years of evolution. Brilliant - Kieran
November 24, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Anonymous said…
I bought them this week for the first time . (WhatsApp comment from a cousin in Toronto)
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Kieran said…
It’s an acquired taste, hopefully you got the Fuyu variety - Kieran
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Anonymous said…
You know, my favorite fruit here in the USA. When I taught in Redwood City for a year, one of my aides had a tree.....it was unbelievable, how much we enjoyed this fruit that year!!! (WhatsApp comment from a dear friend in California)
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Kieran said…
Since they fruit all pretty much ripen at the same time, most people end up giving them away to friends and neighbors. God’s way of sharing nature’s bounty - Kieran
November 24, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Anonymous said…
Thank you Kieran. Persimmons are my favorite fruit! I’m glad you wrote and drew them. Blessings, Louise (WhatsApp comment from a very dear friend in Mountain View)
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Kieran said…
Glad you liked it.
Sandra makes a very delicious moist cake with the pulp of persimmons mixed in. Yummy - Kieran
November 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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