Elaine of Astolat & the Old Men of Kathmandu

they say a witch lives in the mountain
where old men visit a wishing fountain
once every one hundred years she appears
soothing, calming, taking away our fears

they pack their cares neatly in sacks
next to their diaries written in facts
with wishes like to be young once again
to take the hand of the lovely lady Elaine

ancients remember and you should as well
the time of casted spells when angels fell
she died in flight the sky island queen
her face someone said so lovely and serene

will they say the same of us i wonder?
in our coffins refusing to simply go under
will we be afraid to come down mountainsides?
to kneel beside the beautiful bride who died

pressing one careful finger to our lips
whispering prayers from some forgotten script
we all continued making the sign of the cross
as the whole court began mourning the loss

of our lovely lady, the lady of Shalott