On an eve such as this, so cold and so dark,
the time is ripe for a tale unlike any other.
It is about a single weave, one day and one night,
in the Great Forest, which some have dubbed Taint.

If looking for songs about kings of great worth,
then look elsewhere, for you have strayed far from your path,
as this tale is humble and close to the earth,
about Nature whom without we would perish.

Nature encompasses all,
Nature binds all,
Nature creates all,
Nature IS all.

And so Atropos begins to weave...

The Basin is crowned with glorious rays
marking the arrival of Father Sun, blinding nocturnal eyes.
Its beams fill us with confidence and heart,
above us always, forever out of reach.

Signs of life emerge from the disappearing gloom,
the first creature seen is the carefree squirrel,
relentlessly saving for the harshness of winter,
nimble and agile, storing rations in its cache.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!

The flowing rapids of the River glowed auburn with the Sun's rays
nothing can stop it, nothing will try.
Washing away our anguish and sorrow,
there are no boundaries or limits restricting it.

Glinting silver in the River's shallows,
swims Trout, careless and free,
using the current as its endless domain,
it guides those who seek it, on their way to beyond.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!

As Sun reaches his apex in the sky up above,
the undergrowth parts and out steps Bear,
with unchallenged strength it hunts for fresh meat,
unleashing its fury on those who assail.

Out comes Wolf, fierce and alert,
he travels in packs, attacking as one,
a force quick and efficient,
none are as brave; as ferocious as Wolf.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!

A gust of wind whistles through the Forest,
shaking the stalwart limbs of Tree.
Providing shelter and solace to many,
taking in everything, sustaining its life.

Passing as a blur of bronze,
Stag is swiftest of the spirits,
running from skirmish, some name it coward,
but when forced into a corner, it stands and fights.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!

As Sun continues his perennial journey across the heavens,
it is Horse found thundering over the land,
a symbol of glory, honor, and courage,
Horse charges with intensity alight in his soul.

One of the smaller spirits, easily looked over,
is Skunk, jet-black with a streak of ivory,
turning its back on all assailants,
emphasizing that he will not tolerate insolence.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!

Atropos incessantly weaves this tapestry of life,
and there, carousing in the treetops, is Monkey,
a mind sharper than the edge on your blade,
overflowing with knowledge; keen and wise.

The fading light strikes the mighty Mountains,
made of Rock, standing tall, standing stout,
having endured all of the trials which weather its base,
Rock has held firm, marked with asperity.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!

Living underground, away from turmoil,
Groundhog burrows with the clay as its home,
filling its lungs with the aroma of soil,
and digging deeper to evade its foes.

The light is extinguished as Father Sun retreats,
heralding to the coming of Moon,
Moon, like a giant eye, sees all in the dusk,
including insight on the plans of Mother Night.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!

The final two spirits are the mightiest of all,
they are the legendary of the Glomdoring,
we serve Mother Night and Brother Crow,
for they protect the Forest's inhabitants.

Mother Night is keen and deceptive,
covered in shroud and plans kept unknown,
she surrounds every shrub, every rock, every tree,
watching the forest, achieving goals through manipulation.

Brother Crow is the other, important and feared,
he curdles the blood with his terror-filled caw,
with a single eye to notice danger,
Crow has sorrow for events long past.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!

And thus this day is complete,
only to begin anew without fail,
to some these days pass far too quickly,
for others each weave lasts an eternity.

Through the gaze of Nature we see the life pass,
we see how we all live harmoniously together,
for Nature is not made of many parts,
Nature IS the parts.

Before I depart I wish to speak a word more,
that Nature will survive even after I'm gone,
we can learn from its teaching if we just look around,
and also inside us for the answers we seek.

WE are Nature.

Clackety-clack, clackety-clack!