The Golden Chain Poem by Peter Russell

I lay in fetters linked with bronze,
I begged a gift of the White Dove,
The silver chains that bind the swans,
The golden chain that binds my Love.

The Dove said: "Go to the Lake,
And take a withy in your hand.
Look on the sky and air, and make
A magic circle in the sand.

"Within the circle plant a seed
Wait for the tree to grow.
Look on the sun and moon, and heed
Word of neither friend nor foe.

"You'll see the mountain-tops rise up;
You'll see the earth turn into fish -
The deep lake seem a crystal cup
In which you'll dream your chafing wish.

"The fish will jump like silver birds
Out of the crystal bowl;
Sprout legs and dance, and utter words -
Words that will be your soul.

"Take all the words and write them down
On the leaves of the growing tree;
And let the starlight like a crown
Light up the leaves' calligraphy.

"And read again, and read again
The words the green leaves spell!
And they will be the silver chain
And the golden chain as well."