Big Mushroom

After several days of rain, a few small mushrooms appeared in the yard, followed by this one, large as a luncheon plate. At first glance, there is nothing remarkable about it. But the more I looked, the more there was to see, starting with the subtle shading from  taupe to creamy white. Then there were all the textures; a split like lightning, disrupting the mushroom’s attempts to achieve radial symmetry. Scales, like the tips of flower petals go round and round in circles. For some reason, those scales made me think of the gigantic banners that hang in front of the Metropolitan Museum, proclaiming the latest blockbuster exhibit. They always have small rounded flaps cut into them, allowing the wind to pass through. Look closely at an unremarkable mushroom and you never know where your mind will go.