Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE SANDPIPER, by MARY HEFFERAN


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SANDPIPER, by                    
First Line: Straight as the sedges hiding her
Last Line: "peep-po, peep-po."
Subject(s): Sandpipers; Wellesley College


STRAIGHT as the sedges hiding her
Is the mud-hen's slender throat;
The heron lifts wide, heavy wing;
Clear sounds the towhee's note;
While down below,
The print of dainty restless feet,
A tiny voice so plaintive sweet,
"Peep-po, Peep-po."

Down where the river, lingering
Across a golden bar,
Makes room for all the lily pads,
Where wild rice tassels are,
And tide falls low,
He flickers softly here and there
In colors that chameleons wear,
"Peep-po, Peep-po."

Sweet Peep-po tilting in the sun
In garb of gold and brown,
Or tipping near a blue clay bank
In modest blue-gray gown,
Bright days may go,
But thou in changeling wonder play
Of dreams still pip'st thy gentle way,
"Peep-po, Peep-po."





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