“Sit down child,
Stay awhile,
As I tell tales
Of the Emerald Isle.”

The false words fell
Like oil from his lips
But little did this child know,
The poison on his fingertips

The man raised his regal brow
His eye with hidden malice
His masquerade was serpentine
His voice a sultry hiss

“The Emerald Isle”
He said, with a Cheshire grin
“Is a world full of happiness,
A solace from all sin.”

“Do you see these things,
Upon my wooden mantle?
They all come from the mantle
From sunflower to lintel.”

“Each are magic,
In their own special way.
I have bowls forever full of noodles,
To daffodils that play.”

The child looked with wonder
A twinkle in his eye,
His mouth open like a cod
Unaware of the lie.

He was dressed in corduroy,
His cheeks a ruddy red.
The poor boy’s mind was innocent,
From the path so easily led.

“Would you like to go,
To the Emerald Isle?
Just take my hand,
And we can stay awhile.

The child looked at the hand,
All his thoughts a whirl.
Then he reached out with his own,
And let his fist unfurl.

Did he really make it,
To the Emerald Isle?
That I really cannot say,
But he will stay awhile.