He was in the forest looking to see the trees But none were there He found a girl She found the Erlking They were in the white wood Gamboling out to picnic In the light leaves broke above Then fell below I was in the middle ground Looking to find the Flowers in the garden Wearying of the hate me hate me not Wait they forgot Woe oh the rot Deeper in they crept Oblivious of the bears and darker terrors Or none were there How did they dare I was in the middle ground Looking to find the Fountain of infinite mirror Tree falling no one would hear Shadow of nobody there Murders of murderers living in fear of it Owls on the night watch Solemn and easily wise to what we thought They thought above Sound broke below They were in the black wood Coveting indiscreetly her for him Or him for her Shown what they were I was in the middle ground Looking to find the Fountain of infinite mirror Tree falling no one would hear Shadow of nobody there Murders of murderers living in fear of it I was in the clearing Buzzing around to hearing but the Bees & birds who knew the words Soon arrived the twilight Finally the night & day remembered How they came to be All for nothing at all All for nothing at all With something to do I was in the forest looking to see the trees But none were there