Above the Crowds, Kyoto Mountians Yellow leaves caught flakes as

Yellow leaves caught flakes as they fell

Dormant until drought reveals their hues

its towering structure illuminated against the deep night sky

When I came back down

Above the Crowds, Kyoto Mountians Yellow leaves caught flakes asThis was taken near the top of the gates, after a long stretch where I barely saw anyone. At the base, the path was crowded. Phones out, people moving quickly, trying to capture the same moment from the same spot. I noticed a small dirt trail off to the side and followed it instead. It led through bamboo and up into the forest, and I walked alone for close to ninety minutes. When I came back down, the gates were nearly empty at the top. Each turn felt