The Green Man

In ages that have passed away
There dwelt a man of green
In Edruin, that northern land
Beyond the raging sea

E’er the birds would sing to him
And always he’d reply
With songs as sweet as honey
To array the yawning sky

Seldom did he ponder long
On where his feet would rest
Rather, thoughts of growing things
Took root within his head

Through the feathered hills he went
Leaping like a child
And in his wake, while strength was spent
There blossomed flowers wild

His locks were soft as beds of moss
Ivy-green they grew
And perched within his tresses
There were flowers of every hue

He wore a cloak of cotton
It was dyed a regal blue
Bare were both his feet
Upon the early morning dew

Friend he was to bird and beast
And had for each a name
He did not see the weak as least
But felt their every pain

He knew the splendid tales of olde
And lore he stored in trove
Alas, at last, he left the world
With wealth more great than gold