Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BIRD by BENJAMIN ROSENBAUM

First Line: FACING A RAGGED COBALT SKY
Last Line: THE BIRD! . . . THE SILVER AGONY!
Subject(s): BIRDS;

FACING a ragged cobalt sky,
A bird is shaping silver sound;
Working each fragile, flawless cry
Into significance profound.

Dawn with her mist-blue veils should bring
An ecstacy to any breast,
But this strange warbler does not sing
Inspired by a brood at rest.

@3Her song has beauty as this place,
Stardrift in spring is not more fair;
Austere each note as a strong face
Measured in fire, curved with despair.@1

A trembling horn of pearly cloud
Locks with another near, now far. . .
@3The song is like a restless shroud
Pulling itself up to a star.@1

Facing a ragged cobalt sky
I hear the wind go joyously
But in my blood I know the cry. . .
The bird! . . . the silver agony!



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