When I was in the green land
then I had a treble hand
and this hand held three things
were love, reprieve, and life
on these things let sing
as birds do to early spring
when I was in the green land.
When I was first in the green land
taken there by iron hand
then I knew three things
the link, the rod, and abuse
and little man, least man
forgot in the green land.
When I was back in the green land
in the very palm of his hand
then I said aloud three things
the kiss, the cup, and cross
and the people did not count it loss
when I was back in the green land.
When I was long gone from the green land
old and worn by pilgrim hand
and stones I sted on were moss
and all I said to amend
became first child of legajend
when I was long gone from the green land.
When I was old in the green land
long had set to rest my hand
I dreamt on that city fair
where there is no strife or burning
from whence I know no turning
albeit I die in the green land.
---John Jeffery
University of Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma
1990 March 1
Maintained (if that is the word) by David J. Jeffery, Tel: 615-898-5946, Email: jeffery@physics.unlv.edu
This file was last updated 2000feb19 Saturday