"Grandpa, Grandpa, can we stay out
and play some more today?
Grandma said we must come in
as dark is on it's way.
Well children I would like to say
a little more's all right
But you know grandma and her rules,
no playing out of sight."

Grandma smiled and glanced at Grandpa
and children 'round his feet
"Tell them a story Grandpa, dear,
you kids have earned a treat."
Well, let's sit on the porch young'ins
and I'll tell you a tale
Why, just last year about this time,
if memory don't fail....

I walked down the backfield
to check the seeds we'd sewn.
It was late, that' true enough
but I had just got home.
You see that field out yonder
just by the rising moon?
Well, it was there that I searched for
a landmark through the gloom.

There I spied the great oak tree
familiar and well-known
But the great leaves within its boughs
seemed to sway and moan.
The dusk grew heavy on the fields
as sight began to wane
But still, those shadows held me close,
some lost thought to regain.

I did not move, but watched as though
the tree might come alive
And I imagined all the tricks
that my mind could contrive.
More closely yet, I watched its limbs
swaying with the wind
And as I watched, the moon rose high
as witness to some end.

There I saw the giant oak
swoon in undulation
As if somehow, it grasped for life
by some mere flirtation.
I thought my eyes must there deceive
my wits in some fashion
And slowly crept yet closer still
confused by it's passion.

"This cannot be," I self rebuked,
trying to reassure
My fast disintegrating nerves
and character demure.
Still the tree moved in a rhythm
mimicking some tune
That soon escaped my conscious mind
which now I dare impugn.

It truly was as I had seen
for now to join the moon
A gentle swarm of fireflies
danced also to a tune.
And by the light that showed the tree
at its base there played,
Three pixies with such utter grace
as makes our day world fade.

They played the flute and tambourine
and soon a dozen more
Joined the trio at the tree
in lively dress they wore.
The merry elves and fireflies
beneath the huge oak tree
Did have a lovely time of it
as did the likes of me.

So when you visit me again
please gaze at evening time,
Out at the giant oak-wood tree
        next to the old fence line.
Don't be surprised at what you see
stay still and you may find
Such a sight as can't be found
but here and nursery rhymes.

  ~Robert E. Browne~