Cicely Fox Smith

The Enchanted Forest

The gnarled boughs hang darkling down,
    And biers sweep my knees;
The moon is low, like a gold lamp,
    Behind the twisted trees.

O dark and still are the wet fern
    And trees where no birds nest;
What need have I for night or day
    Who ride a livelong quest?

There is no cockcrow in the dark,
    No bleat from a far fold,
When the Forest Folk begin to stir
    Under the starlight cold.

Rend your wild hair, you elfin things,
    That peep from bush and tree;
I know what strangling arms you reach
    Athwart the dusk to me.

Twist your fierce lips, you false fair things,
    I know what dance you tread
To what drear tune 'neath the cold moon
    O' nights wi' the sheeted dead.