WILD MEG OF THE WOOD


When I was just a tiny child,
My grandmother used to tell
Of wild Meg of the wood
Who roamed afar o're hill and dell.

She told me she was truly wild,
Quick of movement and very shy,
She used no soap when she bathed
And her roof was the open sky.

Her hair was as black as a raven,
Tangled and matted and most unkempt,
Her eyes were hard grey steel,
Her clothes were stolen and rent.

Many a day she went hungry,
Many a night she lay cold,
No one to want her or love her,
She belonged to nobody's fold.

I longed to meet Meg of the wood
As I wondered though the leafy glades,
If I heard a rustle, I would call
Hoping she would answer if she could.

As I grew older I forgot about Meg
And went on in my own sweet way.
Till the summer I was to be married
And went into the wood to pray.

I found a quiet peaceful place,
I saw her standing there silent and alone.
Her hair was black and a tangled mess
Her eyes steel grey and as cold as stone.

I smiled and walked towards her
And told her why I had come.
For the spot was like a green cathedral
Where God would feel at home.
She sat down upon a fallen log
And she bade me do the same.
God bless you for talking to me
And thank God that you came.

For I am very lonely, I am always alone,
For people are afraid of me,
So I hide in the bushes till they're gone,
For I am scary as you can see.

I told her I wanted to be her friend,
To help in any way that I could.
For life must be hard and cruel
Trying to live your life in the wood.

She smiled, her eyes seemed to come alive,
And her gnarled rough hands held mine.
I could not change now my dear,
This will be my life for all time.

Well at least come to my wedding
And wish me well on my special day,
You can meet my wonderful husband.
The church is not far away.

My wedding day came warm and sunny,
And I ran to the edge of the wood
To call to Meg to remember to come,
That I would be happy if she could.

When I walked in the church with my father
It was full of fragrent sweet wild flowers,
A gift from my friend Meg, I cried,
The arrangements must have taken many hours.

I looked round the church to see her,
But nowhere could she be found.
I wanted to say a special thank you.
Later, I saw her asleep on the ground.
Beside her an old empty basket
And a chipped and crazed old jug.
We picked them up and filled them.
I leaned over to give her a hug

She opened her eyes and smiled,
She wished me well and blessed me,
She thanked me for the food
She went away as happy as can be.

I often think of wild Meg of the wood
And how long she could survive,
And how a smile and a kindly word
Had made her life worth while.

So if you wonder through the wood
Look out for dear Meg, now old,
For though she looks wild and scary
She has a heart of gold.

Ann Margetson
May 24 1995
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