The Changing of the Seasons

Hiroishi Kurou slowly crept towards the prow of the ship and there forced his old body to bend into a sitting position, where he remained although the ship was not due to depart for some hours. The dark waves splashed playfully at the boat's sides, and the vessel bobbed softly, silhouetted against the bright moon. The chill of winter had finally arrived and was slowly creeping into Korou's skin, making him shiver. The last of the maple trees' leaves were falling into the water.

First Natsumi, then Tamito Fumio, then finally Haru:
All had vanished into darkness.
One by one, Korou had watched his companions fall away.
First, they took their happiness.
Next, they took their security.
Finally, they took his hope...
And nothing  Korou had done could prevent it.

How fate turns your life about you,
Throwing your world as waves upon rocks,
As stones falling away into darkness.
Like the changing of the seasons
Korou's friends had come and gone,
Leaving behind only
The pale husk
Of winter.