The Fairy Green

THE PORRIDGE PLATE

My porridge plate at Grannie's house is white and misty blue,
And as I eat the porridge up the picture all comes through;
There is a castle on a lake, a tall tall lady too.

The castle has a flight of steps and lots of pointed towers,
A garden and a summer-house a little bit like ours,
And trees with leaves like feathers and the most enormous flowers.

I don't care much for porridge in an ordinary way
(Though it's jolly when there's treacle and your Nanna
lets you play),
But when I stop at Grannie's house I like it every day.

Upon the magic green I stood
Within the fairy ling,
Close to the little rustling wood
Where fairies always sing.

I was a little bit afraid,
I kept my eyes shut tight,
While all around they danced and played—
I felt the shining light.

Nearer and nearer still they came,
They touched my dress, my hair;
They called me softly by my name;
I heard them everywhere.

I never moved, I never spoke
(Oh, but my heart beat fast),
And so the little fairy folk
All went away at last,