The Old Road to Paradise/Changeling
CHANGELING
Though she has a name you bore, Elfin-Heart we loved before, You are lost to us, you child, Little life-flame burning wild! Though her hair—how like!—is tossed Like your yellow head that's lost, And her blue eyes seem to smile Like yours lost this weary while, This dim woman lifelessly Playing you—you are not she! You that were a wisp, a spark, Small wild sunray, Gleam-in-Dark, Never you, wild heart awing, This that is a changeling!
Elfin-Heart, too like you were—Mocking eyes and tossing hair—Cruel laughter, changeful ways—To your kin the wandering fays, To have passed their hidden ring, Safe, uncaught, unfollowing! Somewhere in a green hill's heart Elfin-tall you laugh apart Where forever cold and gay Do the Strange Folk's pipers play . . . And while this that bears your seeming Goes among us dumb and dreaming, You dance on eternally With the Dark Queen's chivalry!