Paganistan: Notes from the Secret Commonwealth

In Which One Midwest Man-in-Black Confers, Converses & Otherwise Hob-Nobs with his Fellow Hob-Men (& -Women) Concerning the Sundry Ways of the Famed but Ill-Starred Tribe of Witches.

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Lord of the Trees

“No, hold,” said the sergeant-in-arms to the crossbowman. “First let them watch their god die.”

 

He sat on the great stone in the clearing.

Arriving, we went first to greet him: to kiss his hand, and receive his blessing.

When all had gathered, he rose and raised his arms: so naked, so tall. Between his antlers, constellations wheeled.

The bolt took him just below the breastbone.

He fell like a star out of heaven.

 

We wailed.

Our sabbat interrupted, we scattered into the forest.

 

Thus we did not see the antlers' rearing-up, nor the rising again on the altar; the soldiers' amazement, nor their hot pursuit.

In this way, he drew them off, and so we were saved. Into the woods he led them, nor did one of us fail to reach home safely.

But the soldiers stumbled blindly through the trees all night, bewildered and hopelessly lost.

 

After all, he is Lord of the Trees, as they say.

No one knows the forest like him.

 

Based on the Robin of Sherwood episode,

Lord of the Trees,

by Richard Carpenter

1984

 

 

 

Last modified on
Poet, scholar and storyteller Steven Posch was raised in the hardwood forests of western Pennsylvania by white-tailed deer. (That's the story, anyway.) He emigrated to Paganistan in 1979 and by sheer dint of personality has become one of Lake Country's foremost men-in-black. He is current keeper of the Minnesota Ooser.

Comments

  • J'Karrah
    J'Karrah Monday, 24 July 2017

    Love that series! And that was one of my favorite episodes. Now I need to pull out the DVD's and watch them again :)

  • Jamie
    Jamie Tuesday, 25 July 2017

    Mr. Posch,

    "I am Herne the Hunter, and you are a leaf blown by the wind..."

    Brings back some great memories! Best. Robin Hood. Ever.

  • Jamie
    Jamie Tuesday, 01 August 2017

    Oops... I looked it up on IMDB. The correct phrase was, "Driven by the wind", not 'blown by the wind'.

  • Steven Posch
    Steven Posch Wednesday, 02 August 2017

    To misquote the Talmud: "One who correctly cites quotations hastens the Return of the Goddess."
    Herne bless us all this Lammas-tide.

  • Steven Posch
    Steven Posch Tuesday, 25 July 2017

    Quotable Herne! So many to choose from.
    Herne: "There is no end and no beginning; it is enough to aim."

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