Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BIRD OF PARADISE by HARRY HIBBARD KEMP

First Line: THOU ART PERFECTED SPLENDOR WITHOUT THE / PEACOCK'S FEET
Last Line: WITH THE CUNNING OF A BLOW-PIPE MAY BRING THY BEAUTY DOWN.
Subject(s): BEAUTY; BIRDS; HEAVEN; PARADISE;

THOU art perfected splendor without the peacock's feet,
And only the manna-dew of heaven thou dost eat,
Bird of many colors, kinsman to the dawn,
Richer in rare hues than the iris heaven-drawn!
But sad it is to think that any ruthless clown
With the cunning of a blow-pipe may bring thy beauty down.



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