06 November 2013

Sweet, Oh, Sweet - An 1878 Poem

By Mrs. M.M. Conway.
Redbird and bluebird, and sparrow and dove,
Mockingbird, robin and wren, I love;
But the bird of all, to me most deer,
Is the one that sings thro' the long, long year,
"Sweet, oh, sweet!"
 
When Spring comes laden with flowers and leaves,
And the wren is building beneath the eaves;
He sings in the apple trees all the day,
As he showers the blossoms in play :
"Sweet, oh, sweet!"
 
Thro' the Summer day so warm and bright,
From the flushing dawn till the gray twilight;
'Mong roses crimson, and white, and gold,
Soft and low is his pleasure told :
"Sweet, oh, sweet!"
 
When Autumn scatters the withered leaves,
And the nest is empty beneath the eaves;
When mockingbird, robin and wren have flown,
On the leafless maple he sing alone,
"Sweet, oh, sweet!"
 
Through stern old Winter's cold, dismal reign,
When hail strikes loud on the window-pane;
Shaking the sleet from his coat of brown
Still gaily he sings while the storm comes down,
"Sweet, oh, sweet!"
January 22, 1878. Staunton Spectator 55(18): 1. From the Salem Conservative.