by Paige Baines

The night was full, the moon was gay,
There in the beds the children lay.
The fairies danced around the hay,
“Come on children, it’s time to play.”
Does he stay, yay or nay?
The children slunk out of their beds,
Their parents’ nightmare in their heads.
If they found out they’d truly dread…
Does he stay, yay or nay?

Don’t listen to the fairies’ trance,
Pulling you to come and dance!
Come forth the moon, the clouds do lance
A place to escape, now’s the chance!
Does he stay, yay or nay?
Away he went while fairies plead,
Then hides behind a big oak tree.
“Come back, my child, come back to me!”
Does he stay, yay or nay?

Away he went, called homeward bound,
Praying that he would not be found.
But out they flew from underground,
Spinning him around and around
Does he stay, yay or nay?
They cast on him a wicked spell
Then pushed him to the ground and fell
The fairies’ laughter, sound of bell.
Does he stay, yay or nay?

He looked above, a glance so mere,
A clock tower that he had fear
The sun bounced off the clock like sheer,
Pointing to the pathway so near.
Does he stay, yay or nay?
Trudging through the dim morning light,
Wishing he was a noble knight
Is that his village? It just might.
Does he stay, yay or nay?

Running towards his house’s land
His young heart beating in his hand,
Looking where his home did stand,
His teardrops sinking in the sand.
Does he stay, yay or nay?
Looking through the rubble’s despair,
Picking up what’s left of a chair…
Yelling out loud to those who care,
“I never should have left!”