If Joy, the Golden Bird, would fly, Do not close an hand upon her! She belongeth to the sky, With all the winds of heaven on her: Only when her wings are free Bird of Lovely Life is she. He who Joy of Life would store Heart of his be widely open; Throw the key out with the door, Throw the hope out with the hopen; Give her -- as she finds in sky -- Place to dip, and soar, and fly. She will come again, I wist! She of thee shall not be frighted! She shall sing upon thy fist! By her shall thy dark be lighted! By her freedom thou art given Right and room in joyous heaven! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DESERT FLOWERS by KEITH CASTELLAINE DOUGLAS ROBIN HOOD, TO A FRIEND by JOHN KEATS SPOON RIVER ANTHOLOGY: ANNE RUTLEDGE by EDGAR LEE MASTERS THE WOODLANDS by WILLIAM BARNES THE POET'S TEAR by LOUISA SARAH BEVINGTON TIME'S REVENGES by ROBERT BROWNING A VERSE ON HIGHLAND HOSPITALITY by ROBERT BURNS |