The Disenchanted Forest

«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-daubed army
Believed my wits deceived me 'til I heard their battle cry
«Smash the axe and sow the seed
Don’t cause the Oaken Heart to bleed»
«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
«Break the bough and strip all off it
Fell this forest, make a profit»
«Opposing forces clashed beneath a red sky cracked by thunder
Entrenched beneath the hedgerow 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 and grabbed a fallen skean
All who would one flower destroy must first cut down this Didicoy!
We fought until the last that day to gain a hard won victory
Sucked in by the thirsty earth I watched my lifeblood 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"
«Are there more so brave and honest
Who would die to save my forest?»