Simple Rhymes - By Ruby N Ramsell

The Enchanted Wood

The Enchanted Wood

'Twas midsummer's night and the hour was late

And I had to be on my way,

We'd danced on the green to celebrate,

My friends and I, that day.

"Don't go through the woods on your way home."

They called as I took my leave.

"It isn't safe to wander alone,

Especially on midsummer's eve."

But a full moon rose in the darkening sky

So I entered the lonely wood,

And moonbeams filtered thro' branches high

To dapple the paths where I trod.

Then I felt as in enchanted as if in a dream,

Full of wonder and surprise,

And I gazed in awe at the lovely scene

That appeared before my eyes.

I couldn't believe just what I saw

And I trembled with strange apprehension,

"Twas tho' I stepped thro' a hidden door

Into another dimension.

In amazement I gazed on a moon-filled glen

As sweet music played on the breeze,

There pretty maids and handsome men

Danced 'neath the greenwood trees.

The maids had flowing hair that shone

With a beautiful silver sheen

And I noticed the pointed ears of the men

Who were clad in forest green.

And there in that enchanted dell

The throbbing, sweet refrain

Was like a strange hypnotic spell

Pulsating in my brain.

Then the green-clad man from the merry throng

Came close and begged me to stay,

And in the arms, so firm and strong,

I danced the night away.

And just before the break of day

Came the sound of the hunting horn,

Then the beautiful people faded away

And vanished with the dawn.

I searched the wood and called in vain,

And shed a few sad tears,

Then I knew in my heart I would dance again

With the man with pointed ears.

For those nights of my youth were not a dream

Or mirage to deceive,

And I danced many times with the man in green

And always on midsummer's eve.

My friends have deserted me over the years

And they shake their heads in despair,

For I have a son with pointed ears

And a daughter with silver hair.

And on midsummers eve my children dance

Their kin folk wild and free,

And I sigh as they leave for there's always a chance

That they'll never return to me.