"´Tis time to dance (A poem)" by Antony M. B. Sadler (Drig)

'Tis time to dance

'Tis time to dance the wind whirlpools

Over the land in a stuttering prance.

It yanks the leaves up into the fray.

From the weathered branches, now haggard, and gray.

The youngest growth, the first stolen away;

The trees ever more naked, beneath the autumnal day.

'Tis time to dance the hills echo back.

Snatching leaves from the air, then handing them back,

...snatch... leaves from the air; ...handing them back.

...leaves from the air; ...hand them back.

The tree roots bore; ever deeper; clinging dearly to ride,

The fairies, Autumnal to Winter; seasonal slide.

'Tis time to dance the brooks chuckle along

Snagging up a leaf, and passing it on.

Lending spray to the wind in exchange for a leaf

Spitting, and gurgling, and surging mischief.

The banks are torn, to follow along;

Removing footsteps of fairies in tune with their song.

And all the time the fairies hold sway

Over earth, wind, and water; Keeping fire at bay.

"'Tis time to dance!" the lead fairy out shouts.

And points out the unbalance that needs to be out.

Allowing earth swallowed by water; or earth to eat rain.

The air catalyst of turmoil switches sides, and again.

"'Tis time to dance!" The following fairies agree.

Pulling, and tugging along with limitless glee.

Pushing, prodding, and poking; "What comes will be free!"

Dashed to the rocks; Broken left screed,

"Dance if you dare, the fairies decree!"

"'Tis time to dance, if you yearn to be free."

But 'ware little sapling, barely 'yon green;

If your thoughts are too shallow, 'tis the last you'll be seen.

And whether you'll dance on, to the fairy retreat,

Or whether they'll leave you, beneath o'er six feet.

I can not but tell you; For when I heard their song;

I bravely clung on; and I most cowardly, won.