to give thanks and praise to the bough that breaks
 under the weight of age and passing days
 to the song of the swan when one's time [bad word] 
 like passing clouds in the sky all must someday die
 to falling leaves in autumn's shades the promise of
 youth that fades under the winter's waning sun
 the wind and snow of a life now done
 like the tides retreating from tranquil shores
 cold lips that draw breath no more
 to the shifting sands of time lost
 measured by star and frost
 to scattered blossoms of spring this glory in which
 we sing: o ephemeral passing life consumed in the
 funeral pyres consumed in our burning desires
 even these flames must expire
 abiding ash and splintered bone
 sodden earth and weathered stone
 right of finality devouring infinity
 works [bad word] undone so as what we [bad word] 
 unknowing certainty of that which sets us free
 to the end of days to give thanks and praise