Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE SONG OF THE TOAD, by JOHN BURROUGHS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Have you heard the blinking toad Last Line: No bird could do it better. Variant Title(s): Portia To Shylock Subject(s): Toads | ||||||||
Have you heard the blinking toad Sing his solo by the river When April nights are soft and warm, And spring is all a-quiver? If there are jewels in his head, His wits they often muddle, -- His mate full often lays her eggs Into a drying puddle. The jewel's in his throat, I ween, And song in ample measure, For he can make the welkin ring, And do it at his leisure. At ease he sits upon the pool, And, void of fuss or trouble, Makes vesper music fit for kings From out an empty bubble: A long drawn-out and tolling cry, That drifts above the chorus Of shriller voices from the marsh That April nights send o'er us; A tender monotone of song With vernal longings blending, That rises from the ponds and pools, And seems at times unending; A linked chain of bubbling notes, When birds have ceased their calling, That lulls the ear with soothing sound Like voice of water falling. It is the knell of Winter dead; Good-by, his icy fetter. Blessings on thy warty head: No bird could do it better. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...ORGY WITH TOADS by CHARLES MARTIN THIS IS TBE WAY TOADS TALK by MARIANNE MOORE THOREAU AND THE TOADS by DAVID WAGONER TOADS REVISITED by PHILIP LARKIN THE POWER OF TOADS by PATTIANN ROGERS THE DEATH OF A TOAD by RICHARD WILBUR |
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