Lord Of Secrets

Dowse, deep-shadowed, in the forest,
Lord of Secrets, cloaked in green.
Unchained fastness of the old gods,
Hiding places none have seen.

Witness of a thousand meetings,
Battle, ambush, plot and tryst.
Refuge for the frightened robber,
Mossy bed where lovers kissed.

Leaf-enshrouded, dark and peaceful,
In harmony the war of life,
Lived out longest by the cunning,
Carved by lore of Nature's knife.

Borne upon a breeze quite timeless
Half-forgotten names return.
Words embedded in the root chant
That the young were taught to spurn.

Leaf-strewn boundless sanctuary,
Home of ever watchful eyes.
Neighbors with no love of prying,
Sent in all to tell no lies.

There, beyond the visual wonder
Lie the sacred roots of Men.
Rustled through the sun-gilt tree tops
Blown across the breezy fen.

Dowse, deep-shadowed, in the forest,
Lord of Secrets, cloaked in green.
Unchained fastness of the old gods,
Hiding places none have seen.