petals fade that wings may rise. . .

change, said the sun to the moon,

you cannot stay

change, says the moon to the waters,

all is flowing

change, say the fields to the grass

seed-time and harvest, chaff and grain

you must change, said the worm to the bud,

though not to a rose

petals fade that wings may rise

borne on the wind

you are changing, said death to the maiden

your wan face, to memory, to beauty

are you ready to change?

says the thought to the heart, to let her pass

all your life long

for the unknown, the unborn

in the alchemy of the world's dream?

you will change,

say the stars to the sun, says the night to the stars

KATHLEEN RAINE