|
|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A BLACKBIRD SINGING AT DAWN, by MARTHA ELVIRA PETTUS
First Line: What bird sings now, an hour before the day?
Last Line: "his morning hymn; my god, thou shalt have mine!"
Subject(s): Blackbirds
First Line: What bird sings now, an hour before the day?
Last Line: "his morning hymn; my god, thou shalt have mine!"
Subject(s): Blackbirds
"What bird sings now, an hour before the day?
Into my very heart that sweet note rings, --
O Diarmid, my son!" the Abbot said:
"Daybreak is near; in darkness the bird sings."
Answered the monk: "It is the blackbird's song,
My father; in the second month, each night
Wears chill before the dawn; then, the bird sings, --
Praising our God for light, before the Light."
The Abbot Kemak's eyes o'erflowed with tears;
"In these sweet praises, God's great love I mark
To me: -- to teach me faith beyond my fears, --
How bravely sings the bird, while yet 'tis dark.
"A bit of earth in feathers! yet there springs
A fount of Song attuned to Love Divine:
Answering the Call of joy, his praise he brings,
His morning Hymn; my God, Thou shalt have mine!"
Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!
Other Poems of Interest...
IN THE ORCHARD by ANNE STEVENSON
THE BIRDS by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS
THIRTEEN WAYS OF LOOKING AT A BLACKBIRD by WALLACE STEVENS
THE BLACKBIRD by ALFRED TENNYSON
A BLACKBIRD SINGING by RONALD STUART THOMAS
THE BLACKBIRD by HUMBERT WOLFE
MARSH MUSIC by KENNETH SLADE ALLING
A BLACKBIRD SUDDENLY by JOSEPH AUSLANDER
THE PRAIRIES by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT