Finally shed my winter skins,
but the scaly surface now removed
took to removing my brain cells
as a parting gift.

Skins now smooth and freckles pale,
though the cells I'm missing
are causing my words
to tangle past my teeth.

Until I find some translator
with double the amount of brain cells I've kept,
carry a deficit dictionary in your jacket.

It will come in handy
for at least the next 4 months.