Yonder lies little Nell

Yonder lies little Nell,

All with copper tresses

And with eyes of bluebell,

Playing in the grasses.

Then a red-blood poppy

And seven garland roses

Made a banner crafty,

All bestrewn with kisses.

Under the blue heaven

She walked and sang a tune

That all would then listen

Her song with charm commune.

Little maid was this Nell

While her life lasted,

A sweet tale now to tell

Of her sorrow lighted.

For her candle flames still,

If she be extinguished

By the wind on the hill

And suddenly vanished.

She danced on the water

And wove in tapestries

The game of sea otter

And sacred mysteries,

And laughed and lived and prayed

Under the endless sky

And nothing left unsaid

To starry world on high.

But there are many folk

Who have yet to address

This maid in her white cloak

And ask of her redress.

For storm upon a day

Swift came and unlooked-for,

And child with her play

Are to be seen no more.

Yonder lies little Nell

Under the open sky,

The tolling of a bell

Telling where she does lie.

23-24 June 2010