these mottled mementos of a time past
blanket everything so damp and slimy
no longer cushioning my determined steps
as thousands keep slipping behind me.

glaring signs of past and what has been
unfortunate skeletons of what they were
coating imperfections each crack and hollow
now impervious to breeze they seldom stir.

They have no choice and do their duty
occasionally revealing yet unbiasedly covering all
From the precious treasure that I sought
to the stick or rock that made me fall.

once softly fluttering like bright butterflies
vibrantly twitering and swirling all around
they now lay quietly limply en masse
sodden decomposing piles on the ground

seasons change and time moves on
an aroma forms, accepted without fear
The healing effusion of dead and dying
abandoned memories of times held dear