Nightmare

Lyrics

The tree stood flowering in a dream: Beside the tree a dark shape bowed: As lightning glittered the axe-gleam Across the wound in the broken wood The tree cried out with human cries: From its deepening hurt the blood ran: The branches flowered with children's eyes And the dark murderer was a man There came a fear which sighed aloud; And with its fear the dream-world woke: Yet in the day the tree still stood Bleeding beneath the axe-man's stroke