These changing lovely leaves of russet wine
As even sunshine warms my weary soul
into the lonely months and chilled moonshine
As light as air, we pay this costly toll

these fallen leaves fly softly in the wind
they crumble, fading as the years go by;
and memories I've left, fade in my mind
As people, dear to me, now say goodbye

But there is grace within this coming winter
Dew flickers on the brittle decayed leaves
The flakes are falling--ground begins to glitter
The barren branches wave their snow-white sleeves

I'll hold on through this silvered frost abyss
And know the morning's near with shining bliss