The speckled trail lay before me
drops of gold, orange and yellow
Trees bare to the bone
Sky striped red as dragon's hide

Now drops of yellow are drops of white
Gold to mush, sky to dark
Flakes of purity descend
Touching my tongue, dissolving

The speckled trail lay before me
Now smooth and without blemish
A beauty lost and a beauty gained
Season's change has remained the same