Green

Through the woods I walked one day,

As shafts of golden light broke through

To brighten up my weary way

As it drew me close to you.

The trees, verdant in greenest clothing,

Entranced me with their color.

The fragrant air filled me with loathing

That elsewhere, there was war.

Such peace in such a glorious wood,

That much was always given.

But I cannot stay; I know I should

Go to where I am driven.

The forest with its fresh green

Will not last for long

When the winds of winter

Will bring their icy song.

The trees will die in fiery red,

And, though aflame in great fervor

Are so sadly soon to be dead

In the fire of their ardor.

In winter, they stand sleeping

As I walk through their sad wood.

Is the cold wind weeping

That they will be stained with blood?

Spring, we met, your eyes the purest green

Like the trees with blossoms new

Where our love was seen

And proved to be so true.

In the summer, we walked together

Through the shafts of golden light.

But we could not know whether

We were in another’s sight.

Jealous was the warrior,

Who walked between the trees.

Hating love’s sweet order

That brought us to our knees.

So you came to meet me

On that day of fragrant air.

If only we could see

What would meet us there!

Hands clasped, heads together,

Your head upon my shoulder

You confessed your love to me

As the night grew colder.

Colder, colder, the wood became

As words came from my soul;

For you I felt as aflame

As the fiery leaves of fall.

Sadly, I embraced you

For the dawn would come

To draw you to the blue,

Stale battlefield so dumb.

Also in the dawn,

I would leave as well;

For Fate had always drawn

Me to help those who fell.

The warrior watched, waiting,

Looking through the trees

Our sad embrace baiting

His taste to strike us to our knees.

So fast it happened—

One arrow did it all.

Just one arrow to send

You to the ground to fall.

One last look in your green eyes

Surrounded by the brightest red

Blessed me in my cries

As you became dead.

The warrior, triumphant

Then shot his bow at me

With his face so jubilant

With fire I could see.

Side by side, we fall together

Beneath these verdant trees.

Soon the autumn weather

Will bury us in leaves.

Unmarked graves in the green,

Forever we will stay

Together while the mean

Warrior will pay.

Come to our green wood,

The wood that is our home.

And friends, I beg you if you could,

Be happy as you roam.

Enjoy the shafts of light,

The soft and fragrant air.

For in this peaceful sight

My love’s green eyes are there.