Classic and Contemporary Poetry
A CAGED BIRD, by SARAH ORNE JEWETT Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: High at the window in her cage Last Line: And understand our wistful speech! Subject(s): Birdcages; Prisons & Prisoners; Convicts | ||||||||
High at the window in her cage The old canary flits and sings, Nor sees across the curtain pass The shadow of a swallow's wings. A poor deceit and copy, this, Of larger lives that mark their span, Unreckoning of wider worlds Or gifts that Heaven keeps for man. She gathers piteous bits and shreds, This solitary, mateless thing, To patient build again the nest So rudely scattered spring by spring. And sings her brief, unlistened songs, Her dreams of bird life wild and free, Yet never beats her prison bars At sound of song from bush or tree. But in my busiest hours I pause, Held by a sense of urgent speech, Bewildered by that spark-like soul, Able my very soul to each. She will be heard; she chirps me loud, When I forget those gravest cares, Her small provision to supply, Clear water or her seedsman's wares. She begs me now for that chief joy The round great world is made to grow, -- Her wisp of greenness. Hear her chide, Because my answering thought is slow! What can my life seem like to her? A dull, unpunctual service mine; Stupid before her eager call, Her flitting steps, her insight fine. To open wide thy prison door, Poor friend, would give thee to thy foes; And yet a plaintive note I hear, As if to tell how slowly goes The time of thy long prisoning. Bird! does some promise keep thee sane? Will there be better days for thee? Will thy soul too know life again? Ah, none of us have more than this: If one true friend green leaves can reach From out some fairer, wider place, And understand our wistful speech! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SECULAR GAMES by RICHARD HOWARD WHAT DID YOU SEE? by FANNY HOWE JULIA TUTWILER STATE PRISON FOR WOMEN by ANDREW HUDGINS BOTHWELL: PART 4 by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN BOTHWELL: PART 4 by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN WORK IN PROGRESS by CHARLES MARTIN THE SUBCULTURE OF THE WRONGLY ACCUSED by THYLIAS MOSS A COUNTRY BOY IN WINTER by SARAH ORNE JEWETT AT HOME FROM CHURCH by SARAH ORNE JEWETT THE WIDOW'S HOUSE (AT BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA) by SARAH ORNE JEWETT |
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