Here lies the road into the deep, dark wood,
Fern dusted banks, and tree roots, and red, red earth.
Ahead lie shadows, and chiming sprite’s mirth
Drawing me deep into the dark wild wood.
Blithely I go along a path I should
Never have dared dread. Long gone from cold hearth
And smokeless chimney, clothes stained: red, read earth.
Wandering far into the night, and the wild dark wood.
A sorceress waits in her quiet damp grove,
Readying the prayer to make my heart stone:
A poisoned blessing blending foul with good.
What need I a beating heart bruised by love?
What risk in sitting by cold hearth alone?
I walk this road into the deep, dark wood.