This poem appears in a section of my newly completed novel, Tollesbury Time Forever. |
There is a witch Who lives in the woods She lives there alone in the dark. Nobody’s seen her, Nobody’s heard her, Except once by the edge of the park. Somebody said She was holding a bag Whistling a strange little tune; That when she was seen She returned to the trees Like a shadow kissing the moon. There was talk in the fields About the witch in the woods, But go see her? No one would dare. So I thought to myself I’d sneak out one night To see what I could find there. So I slipped from my straw, Jumped over the gate, a candle in my small frozen hand. I went to the woods At the edge of the park As the moon fell down on this land. I walked through the trees, So scared and alone, Though with hope in the back of my mind. As I saw a small light And smoke rising high I wondered what I would find. I walked up to a door But, before I could knock It opened with a very loud creak. There stood a woman All dressed in white. I was suddenly unable to speak. I sat on a chair By the side of a fire Whilst she looked kindly on me. “Are you a witch?” I asked her at last. And she said “I may possibly be.” “But don’t be afraid I just prefer it out here Away from experienced minds. I live with my innocent, simple, sweet thoughts That are pure and gentle and kind.” I was a little confused So I said to her now, “How do you even survive?” She said to me softly “Just love, my young man, It is only on love that I thrive.” “What can I do?” I said to her now “So I can be just like you” “What, wearing a dress? Clad only in white? I’m sure you’d look better in blue!” “No,” I said, laughing, “To feel just like you Where everything seems so right.” She thought for a while, And closed her deep eyes As the full moon shed its fair light. “All I can say Is open your mind, The world is more than you know. Look deeper than deep, Be a dreamer, my boy, Give love wherever you go. When others hurt you, Accept that it hurts, Have faith in the bad and the good. Walk with the soul And the eyes of a child You will always be safe in these woods. As for the world That lies there outside, Remember the words that I’ve said. Keep them inside Your heart and your mind And by them may you be led. Soon others will see There is no such thing As being too nice or too kind. And then one fine day, When more are like you, I can leave this sweet glory behind.” So when I got home I thought of the woman That had entered my life that dark night. I will walk tall forever With the eyes of a child, To the blackness of life I’ll bring light. |