The Green Man

at the birthing of the dawn
there he was.

where the first bloodsap surges
there he is
where the sharp new spring purges
there he is
where the first bud breaks back the earth
there he is
where the ragged robin bled
there he is
where daffodils dare
where the last snow laid bare
there he is.

where drowsy dragonfly hover
there he is
where merry bee doth dance his delight
there he is
in the harsh summer light
there he is
where the red reynard prowls
there he is
where the boldhearted songbird sings
where wingbeats break the silence
there he is.

where the wind worries the leaves
there he is
where the bloodgold corn sighs
there he is
where the lawless eagle cries
there he is
where the wild hunt rides
there he is
where the deepest dark bides
there he is
where the russet rich fruit ripen
there he is
where the dying leaves fall
and the hoarse winds howl
there he is.

at the dying of the day
there he will be.

he is
the space between the leaves
the gap between the heartbeat
the wind in the trees
the harvest corn
the sigh of deep woods
the death of the dying
the birth of the new

Gavin Duley, 2002