Will ‘o the Wisp
by Arian Niwl
 
Now Tom was a fine man oh so rare
Handsome of features with ginger hair
And a big heart that was friendly and fair
 
Now each maiden from young to old
From one’s so shy, to those so bold
Raven haired to those with hair like gold
 
Tried to catch the eye of Tom each day
And many would go to church to pray
That Tom would the magic words say
 
But Tom would just touch the tip his hat
To each lass, maiden, old and fair that
Wished for him to pause a bit for a chat
 
Now one foggy night with mist so drear
Tom headed home after having a beer
Spying across the moors a light so queer
 
“Ah,” he said to himself pulling his cap down
“Tis the Will o’ the Wisp,” trying to get me drown
“Go away!” he called and said with a frown
 
The light instead only moved his way
And Tom watched and had a little pray
For Tom had heard the stories of the fay
 
Out of the mist resolved a woman so fair
She shone with bright shining silver hair
Stately and shining, she had that regal flair
 
“Be not afraid, good sir,” finally said she
“Curious I am, and no harm intend thee”
“All I ask is that you tarry and attend me.”
 
Tom bowed deep as a gentleman should
Though cold, it was taught from childhood
She waved a fair hand and then he stood
 
“Fair lady what does thou want with me?
I am but a humble man, that I attend thee.
All I wish, lady, so fair, to home all I plea.”
 
“Many a night I see thee walk but alone
No companion, hast I seen or  known
Is they heart as cold as a moor stone?”
 
“Not so is my heart cold lady oh so fair.
I have not found one to my heart to care
Many a day I seek answer to  prayer”
 
“My heart in twain I think it will break
I have a hole in there it does ache
I am not sure the sorrow will I shake”
 
The woman shining did smile and nod
“A mortal heart is a thing so flawed,
And yet it can be something to laud.”
 
“It is not for a man alone should be,
Will you not then take a wife for thee?
Or perhaps you may consider me?”
 
Tom was struck nearly fully dumb
His whole body it went quite numb
The depths of his heart it did plumb
 
In the village beautiful lasses quite true
But none could compare in any hue
To the Fay woman standing in the dew
 
Tom swiftly knelt and took that fair hand
“Lady, sweet lady if I could put on the band,
But not do I have for you anything so grand.”
 
She gathered him up and touched his face
“Your wife I will be a promise in this place
And I will attend thee for a mortal space.”
 
“I your wife be, but for a year and a day
You must never look or from me stray
For if you glance at another I will slay”
 
“You have my honest word lady fair
From my heart to my breath on the air
I shall not another glance or spare”
 
Tom kept his word and honour best he could
Then one day he smiled at a lass as she stood
On his way to his home by the blackwood
 
They found sweet Tom not far from the town
The men spat and crossed themselves with a frown
“Ah the Will o’ the Wisp, has gotten him drown!”
 
Now if you look and watch on a cold moor’s night
When the all should have  gone home in fright
A light can be seen dancing the moors with delight
 
If you ask, the village folk will cross and say
The Will o’ the Wisp with Tom had its way
For Tom, foolish Tom as wife took a fay.
 
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