Over the Hill and through the Wood
Oh, wouldn’t it be sweet and good
to go roving far from home,
over the hill and through the wood.
Perhaps discover demons or drudes,
goblin games or pixie nests, lonely gnomes
or unicorns — oh, wouldn't be sweet and good.
Can a witch’s curse be withstood?
Are dim roads safely traveled in dark realms?
I’ll find answers over the hill and through the wood.
If I approach a dragon without falsehood,
he’ll teach secrets locked in ancient tomes—
and once I’ve proved to be sweet and good,
I’ll be gifted with golden apples and silver wood.
Adorned in red cloak, I will bravely roam
over the hill and through the wood.
Why return like a good girl should,
when it’s delightful to be adventuresome.
Oh, wouldn’t it be sweet and good
to go over the hill and through the wood.
.
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Author's note: The phrase "over the hill and through the wood" (which I originally thought was a Red Riding Hood reference), is taken from the Christmas caroll that begins: "Over the river and through the woods / To Grandmother's house we go. / The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh / Through white and drifted snow."
I never write poetry in rhyme, and I'm not comfortable with the format, so any suggestions on how to smooth out the lines are welcome.
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Over the Hill and through the Woods (Attys)
Poetry"Over the Hill and through the Woods" is a collection of poems inspired by fairy tales and folk lore. It will also be home to the poems I intend to submit to the Attys. Cover art is by Ivan Bilibin (edited to suit my needs) and is in the public do...
