sugar shrine

I bought a bag of tiny crystals
I bought a bag of golden charms
I thought they’d keep us safe from danger
I thought they’d keep us safe from harm

The lady said keep them near to me
I kept them close, I did until –
One night I fell asleep at twilight
And left them by the windowsill

Damn!
We threw it all away
It’ll drive us mad
How it’s gone without a trace
The luck we had
Turned the house up on its head
Followed shadows up the stairs
Giggling from under the bed
Strange music in the air

The fairies stole my jewelry
They took it in my sleep
One had cloven hooves for feet
One had a satchel full of teeth

I spent the night up with a flashlight
Pacing around, losing my mind
I called the green lady for advice
She said to build a sugar shrine

Get fairy floss and cotton candy
Or else you’ll speak in limericks
Get sweetened cream and colored taffy
They love the taste of liquorice

Damn!
I said to you that’s not
Exactly the case
When you said the doors were locked
And we were safe
Now there’s footprints on the walls
And voices in the ceiling
Things that flit and scream and crawl
I don’t think they’ll be leaving

Will o the wisps under the willows
Strange figures calling in the fog
They pulled me deep into their circle
Those moon-eyed creatures from the bog

I built a shrine of milk and honey
I built a shrine of candy canes
Candied rocks and caramel apples
Make it seem like we’re glad they came

Rockabye, rock empty cradles
Blow out your candles
Make a wish and disappear
Silver tongue and silver bullets
Silver skin and silver hair
Lick the honey
Off your fingers
There’s no sign
Of iron scissors
And if you tempt them
With things that shine
You better build a sugar shrine

The fairies stole my jewelry
They took it in my sleep
One had cloven hooves for feet
One had a satchel full of teeth