lizard

granny green was stooped as a windblown branch

she lived high in the bramble forest

once a fortnight

if the moon shone right she came down to our little village

she brought blackberries and willow bark

mandrake root and mushrooms

and it was said she spoke the tongue of birds

and understood the river's whispers

now several girls among our town by a golden lizard they were bitten

and those sweet girls lay stiff in their beds like frozen ice up on the branches

granny green mixed a tonic for their ills but it was such a bitter tonic

all who drank began to dance and could not stop their dancing

but none would have danced one sinful step

if that old crone had not bewitched us

how we leaped and pranced and cackled

the whole town writhing madmen

and so desperate grew some to still their feet they dove into the raging river

still we danced on day and night till our fine clothes were torn and ragged

and crying out

oh