Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BIRD, by MIRIAM DEL BANCO


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BIRD, by                    
First Line: Only a bird in a cage
Last Line: "I thank thee, bird — dear bird."
Subject(s): Birds; Singing & Singers; Spring; Songs


Only a bird in a cage,
Singing a maid to cheer;
The days were weary, the days were long,
But e'er and anon, from the caged bird's song,
A voice thrilled, sweet and clear.

"I know that the winter's come,
That the cold and the snow are here,
I know that the laughing brook is still,
That the blue lake's frozen beside the hill,
And the green leaf dead and sear.

"I know that the sweet wild rose
Lies wilted upon its bed,
I know that the sunbeam's kiss is cold,
That its smile on the cloudlet brings no more gold,
That my woodland mates are dead.

"I know — I know all this,
Yet here I sit and sing;
Sit and warble and know no fear,
For God is good and His voice I hear,
Promising soon the spring.

"Canst thou not sing with me?
Art thou less strong to bear!
Less strong at heart than a feeble bird,
Whose song for a few brief days is heard,
And then is hushed fore'er.

"Surely thou canst endure
Thy little cares and fears,
Before whose eyes, all fair and bright,
In endless vistas of delight,
Stretch the eternal years!"

Then deep in the sad girl's heart
An answering chord was stirred,
She turned to the cage as she whispered low,
That only the songster sweet might know:
"I thank thee, bird — dear bird."





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