The Tree by the Cabin by the Cool, Cool Lake
三島　和希
Kazuki Mishima

A tree stood by a cabin by a cool, cool lake.
In the roots of the tree lived a slow, slow snake.
He said “I’m in the dirt and the dirt is in me.
My soul will be dirty for eternity.”

A tree stood by a cabin by a cool, cool, lake.
A bird in the branches was looking for a break.
She said “I’m in the air and the air is in me.
My soul will be wind-swept for eternity.”

A tree stood by a cabin by a cool, cool, lake.
A man in the cabin knew his life was at stake.
He said “If I build a fire with the wood of the tree,
my body will safe for the moment be.”

There’s a stump by a cabin by a cool, cool lake.
The place has been abandoned by the bird and the snake.
No man in the cabin will you see;
a fever took his soul to eternity.