The Disenchanted Forest

Skyclad

[The Farm Hand's Ghost:]

"My kin and I had laboured hard

to reap the yearly harvest.

Lain weary on our gathered sheaves we

cracked a vat of ale. Poured a toast;

Began to boast of who could sup the hardest.

Slumped in drunken slumber

at the height of wild wassail....



I woke to find my brothers gone

that Autumn eve so balmy.

Yet gazed in wide-eyed terror

to the barley fields nearby.

Struck dumb I swore;

Stood before a mighty woad-duabed army.

Believed my wits deceived me

'til I heard their battle-cry."



[The Lord Of The Trees:]

"Smash the axe and sow the seed;

Don't cause the Oaken Heart to bleed!"



[The Farm Hands Ghost:]

"When he that led this heathen horde

cast-off his ivy mantle;

Cohorts raised honed halberds

flying pennants of leaf-green.

From below approached the foe;

A fierce scythe-bearing hantle.

Captains sat triumphant

upon coughing, steel machines."



[The Forces Of Progress:]

"Break the bough and strip all of it.

Fell this forest, make a profit!"



[The Farm Hands Ghost:]

"Opposing forces clashed

beneath a red sky cracked by thunder.

Entrenched beneath the hedge-row

I'd observed it quite unseen.

One side stood to save the wood:

T'other planned it's plunder,

I chose to fight for Nature's right;

Grabbed a fallen skean.



All who would one flower destroy,

must first cut down this Didycoy!



We fought until the last that day

to gain a hard-won victory,

Sucked in by the thirsty earth

I watched my life-blood ebb.

Though I died at least

I'd tried to play some part in history;

A momentary trembling

on the threads of Wyrd's web."



[The Lord Of The Trees:]

"Are there more so brave and honest;

Who would die to save my forest?"