"Cernowain's Golden Bough"


Into the Woods © Brian Froud

Come away, the faun would say,   
Come away to my crumbling stone hall. 
Drink my wine, then stay and play 
Summer, Spring, or Fall. 
 
Winter does not slumber here 
Nor the roots of time entwine. 
Go like starlight from your fear 
With hair bound all in dapple-shine.  
 
While I weave a song to guide you 
Through the silvered hush of night, 
Dance lightly upon the brightening dew 
That sighs for the coming daylight. 
 
Dance lightly between beck and wood 
Where the earth smells deep and grey 
And many oaks and willows would 
Wander ere break of day. 
 
Dance until your heart is new 
And let me kiss your laughing brow 
While I weave the flesh to bind you 
From Cernowain's* golden bough. 
 
 
*Cernowain (also called Cernunnos) is the Celtic
deity of nature and fertility. 

"Raven Girl "


The Dark Lady © Brian Froud

Wings unfurled
I stand at the ready
waiting to see the sun.
I cannot hear or feel
the wind caress my face 
as the adrenaline rushes
under my skin.

Looking past the precipice
to the void within.
We Raven spirits dance light 
through the air but our
descent is never sure...
Of its end.

I dive, with wind kissed face 
and wing extended, diving into space.
Suddenly with a jerking strain
my wings commence their climb;
but mind and soul are lost 
amid the celestial bodies 
dotting the sky.

My heart clamors to hear
your voice, the strain continues
to press against my brain 
as I fly past the Solar orb
and release the world 
from the basket you weaved.

The World is born
and I am alone,
the voice guiding me
no longer calls.
I cry and the oceans form...
Will he answer? My lost love?
Or will this place be mine... 
Alone...
To keep?

"Peter"


Peter Pan © Brian Froud

He came a-tapping late one night
back lit by a pixies light

and being young I let him in
substance of my girlish whims

"I'm youth! I'm joy!" He said to me
"I know" I answered breathlessly

He touched my face it stopped my heart
He had gifts he would impart

But first we went to Tir-Na-Og
flying through the pea soup fog

Tales were told and songs were sung
in "Land of the Forever Young"

He bade me keep a childlike mind
And joy and light Id always find

"Be positive...think happy thoughts
and stay out of that negative box"

He flew me home and kissed my nose
I twirled upon my slippered toes

"You wont forget?" he gently asked
and set me to my earthly task

"You now may be a fraction Fae
but with the mortals you must stay

Teach them what Ive shown you here
Help the sick and those who fear

Show them childlike joy is key
to staying young in their bodies

Love those bodies never sway
their boon companions all their days

You will not age as quick as they
and they wont understand you're Fae

They'll look at you and wonder why
you stay so young and then they'll sigh

But they could keep their youth as well
if only on good things they'd dwell

So you must tell them to believe
In hope and joy and youthful dreams

Like Faeries Mermaids Neverland
and most especially...PETER PAN!"

He laughed and then he kissed my head
He flew away I went to bed

But he comes back sometimes to say
"I'm youth! I'm joy!" so I don't sway

I share the gift that I received
and urge you to believe...BELIEVE!!