Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE BIRD OF HOPE by CHARLES SWAIN

First Line: A GOLDEN CAGE OF SUNBEAMS
Last Line: IT WAS HOPE'S GOLDEN BIRD!
Subject(s): BIRDS; HOPE; OPTIMISM;

A GOLDEN cage of sunbeams
Half down a rainbow hung;
And sweet therein a golden bird
The whole bright morning sung! --
The winged shapes around it grew
Enchanted as they heard:
It was the bird of Hope -- my love --
It was Hope's golden bird!

And ever of to-morrow
The syren song began! --
Ah, what on earth's so musical
As love and hope to man? --
I listen'd, thinking still of thee,
And of thy promised word:
It was the bird of Hope -- sweet love --
It was Hope's golden bird!

Though ours should be a cottage home,
From pride and pomp apart;
The truest wealth for happiness
Is still a faithful heart.
And thus it sung -- "@3unloving wealth
Would never be preferr'd!@1" --
It was the bird of Hope -- sweet love --
It was Hope's golden bird!



Home: PoetryExplorer.net