The Days of Youth and Folly

'Twas well beyond the thicket

Set back among the wood

O'er the sodden pasture

Where my home it stood

Humble was its presence

For it fared quite small in size

Though it seemed a splendid palace

To my simple child-like eyes

A hat it wore of shingles

A mask it wore of stone

And wild was its garden

Where meadowsweet had grown

Many a year it tarried

Agin the wrath of nature's call

For the forest was its shelter

When mighty the snow did fall

The chilled breath of morning

Would hearken to no king

But beckon only to the trees

And make them gently sing

Glorious was there stature

As they frolicked with naught care

Humming a sweet lullaby

To the cottage that stood there

As darkness bowed in envy

Dawn would slowly weave

Brilliant illuminations

Through the frail and broken leaves

Quite eager did my window

Invoke the morn about like this

To stir me from my slumber

With sun's warm and golden kiss

As taut a coil springs

I of my feathered bed

Whilst I quickly donned a petticoat

And bonnet for my head

Then atop an oaken banister

As master to his steed

Downward I would spiral

By the quick of light speed

Mother busy in the kitchen

My breakfast had she made

Of warm buttered biscuits

And gingered marmalade

Most hungrily, I devoured

Every morsel of my meal

And with half an ear I listened

To my mother's staunch appeal

"Keep close to home, child

I'll not have you run awry

this night we will sup early

Afore the sun sets in the sky

And please keep your cloak about

Or you'll catch your death for sure"

Her words were but an echo

As I hurried out the door

Then wide into the open

Finally, was I free

To while the hours o'er the land

Spread out eager before me

'Twas but childish folly

Which caused my legs to run

Up and over the gallant moor

"Twixt the earth and sun

Nary a care, nor thought

Was behooved of me

As e'er I braved this vast expanse

Of silent resplendency

Endless, ever endless

Well my day was spent

In turn it lapsed before me so

And to the night it lent

Then late into the evening

When dusk had slowly grown

I would spy my father

Upon his simple throne

"Twas not made of velvet, crushed

Nor was it gilded gold

Still it reigned majestic

Though worn out and quite old

There my father lingered

When day's toil was but done

And oft he would beckon me

"Come hither little one"

His mighty arms would then extend

To place me gentle on his lap

With brow raised, he would inquire

"A story this night mayhap?"

My eyes they would widen

As I uttered quite breathlessly

"Yes, yes, dear father

A story may you tell me"

Then ponder did my father

As he stroked his bearded chin

Anxiously I waited

For soon him to begin

"Once upon a time," he bellowed

As always was his way

"There lived a beautiful princess"

I would hear him say

Tirelessly I listened

As his tales they did unfold

Of valiant knights and dragons lairs

And kingdoms that he told

And oft there dwelt a maiden

So sweet and fair and pure

Who fared the hands, an evil spell

Her doom, to live no more

Frightened, I beseeched my father

"Pray tell, for I cannot wait

Would thy prince free her not

And spare her of her fate?"

With that my father smiled

A grin from ear to ear

And took his thumb aside my cheek

So to wipe away a tear

"Fear not lass, 'tis but a yarn

That I have spun for you

Be it ever to cause you pain

'Twould break my heart in two"

"Now late the hour chimes," said he

As he kissed me on my head

"On the morrow we will begin anew

So, off with you to bed"

Oh, gentlest heart did beat

Upon mine ear I pressed

When sweet embrace I dared to steal

Before I laid to rest

Then off and away I scampered

This day too full to hold its seams

A journey anew didst I embark

Of that, which were my dreams