Hilda Conkling

If I Could Tell You The Way

Down through the forest to the river

I wander.

There are swans flying,

Swans on the water,

Duck, wild birds.

Fairies live here;

They know no sorrow.

Birds, winds,

They are the only people.

If I could tell you the way to this place,

You would sell your house and your land

For silver or a little gold,

You would sail up the river,

Tie your boat to the Black Stone,

Build a leaf-hut, make a twig-fire,

Gather mushrooms, drink spring-water,

Live alone and sing to yourself

For a year and a year and a year!