writing Tales of Wandering's Tails of Tales...

[HigurSan 195]

Up the path not trodden strode me

Over the hills and far to see,

The last resting place of McGee

Fixed between the roots of a tree.

 

No map, no guide, and no compass

To point my gait through the tall grass;

in which I wanted to bypass

the house of a dangerous lass.

 

Her voice called many a strong man

to death in her arms, though they ran.

Like the Helen whom was Trojan,

flames of love she often would fan.

 

But for nought were my efforts long,

as my ears caught wind of her song.

Which grasped my heart in its sweet tongs,

despite my thoughts that it was wrong.

 

Then came to my eyes a strange sight

which was wrapped in ghostly soft light.

My attention it soon gripped tight,

as it stood stark against the night.

 

With face all a-grin with great mirth

that I'd not seen since my own birth,

"A deal I'll strike with you," he cried.

"For from afar your plight I spied!"

 

"For ten some years, a gift I'll grant,

which will make the lass a servant.

During which her sense will be scant,

by which she will become pregnant."

 

"This child I'll come to take away,

to my home where he'll always play

such tunes to make tall trees to sway

and turn sombre men and wives gay.

 

"Nay!" said I with hand o'er my heart.

"Of this deal I will take no part.

For though such a trade would be smart

by my pride I will stand stalwart.

 

At this his mirth became greater

until my ears rang with laughter.

"Of will," said he. "You are master.

And thus I'll give what you're after."

 

So given to me was the band

worn by my father, my kin, and

myself in that forgotten land,

which had been buried with McGee.