‘TWAS a little man in green,
And he sat upon a stone;
And he sat there all alone,
Whispering.
“One and two,” so whispered he.
(‘Twas an ancient man and hoar)
“One and two,” and then no more–
Never, “Three”.
Hawthorn trees were quick with May–
“Sir,” said I, “Good-day to you”!
But he counted. “One and two”
In strange way.
Fool I was–oh, fool was I
(Who should know the ways of them!)
That I touched his cloak’s green hem,
Passing by.
I was fey with spring and mirth–
Speaking him without a thought–
Now is joy a thing forgot
On the earth.
Ere the sweet thorn-buds were through,
Wife and child doom-stricken lay,
Cold as winter, white as spray–
“One and two!”
Now I seek eternally
That grim Counter of the fen,
Praying he may count again–
Counting, “Three”.
(Isabel Ecclestone Mackay)
More Poetry from Isabel Ecclestone Mackay:
Isabel Ecclestone Mackay Poems based on Topics: Nature, Mind, Prayers, Winter, Speaking, Fool, Thought & Thinking- The Passing Of Cadieux (Isabel Ecclestone Mackay Poems)
- Marguerite de Roberval (Isabel Ecclestone Mackay Poems)
- Calgary Station (Isabel Ecclestone Mackay Poems)
- Joseph (Isabel Ecclestone Mackay Poems)
- The Reasons (Isabel Ecclestone Mackay Poems)
- The Gatekeeper (Isabel Ecclestone Mackay Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Mind Poems, Nature Poems, Thought & Thinking Poems, Prayers Poems, Speaking Poems, Winter Poems, Fool PoemsBased on Keywords: fey
- Alma; or, The Progress of the Mind. In Three Cantos. - Canto I. (Matthew Prior Poems)
- The Merchant of Venice,: A Legend of Italy (Richard Harris Barham Poems)
- Convict Once - Part Second. (James Brunton Stephens Poems)
- Christ's Triumph after Death : Canto IV. Christ's Victory and Triumph (Giles Fletcher Jr Poems)
- Astraea: The Balance Of Illusions (Oliver Wendell Holmes Poems)