The Blue Bird - A Poem From 1863

Know ye a note in all the year

So pleasant as the blue bird's song.

When some bright morning, calm and clear

He greets us as he flits along? —

 

Or, as on some tall tree he rests.

And warbles forth his clear wild notes,

So startling and so sweet, as blest

While on the air his music floats?

 

Yet blessing more, the woodman strong

Welcomes him with his upturned eyes,

As brighter visions swiftly throng

Before him at the glad surprise :

 

Visions of longer, brighter days;

Of buds, and flowers, and leafy grove,

Where many joyous roundelays

Proclaim the almighty power of love.

 

Herald of spring, we welcome thee:

The first of all returned to make

Our forests vocal — would that we

Thus by the forelock time might take :

 

For precious moments quickly pass.

And seasons swiftly glide along

Unmarked as grows the humble grass.

And transient as the wild-birds song.

 

"Up, and be doing!" we will take

The lesson thou so well dost teach,

And in our duties strive to make

Sweet music, though we may not reach

 

Thy joyous heights, yet we may bear

Thy happy spirit in our hearts,

And from the clouded brow of care

Disperse the footprints and the darts.

 

Still warble on, sweet bird, thy song

Inspires me more than many lays :

Still let it float our woods among,

The prophecy of brighter days.

 

And when from every tree and bush

Thy brother songsters fill the air,

Let thy sweet voice be heard at blush

Of morning, and at evening fair;

 

For midst them all no sweeter tone

Floats upward than thy gentle song,

And I would give to thee thy own

Full share of praise our birds among!

May 6, 1863. Raftsman's Journal 9(36): 1.