- From distant climes, which none can tell,
- In dress of bright and changeful hue,
- I greet the bird beloved so well,
- When childhood's hours around me flew.
- Sure, though the northern storms may spend
- Their fury over field and tree,
- Their blasts are welcome, if they send
- So gay a visitant as thee.
- I care not that the laughing Spring
- Its blue-bird messenger may own;
- If winter be but sure to bring
- The Snow-bird I have always known.
- How oft, in childhood's rainbow hours,
- I've watch'd thee at the window pane,
- Hiding thee from the ruthless showers,
- Till vernal airs shall breathe again!
- Oh! how my youthful eyes would strain,
- Pursuing in my wayward track!
- How oft I've spread the attractive grain
- To bring thy wandering pinions back!
- Yes, gentle bird! I mind the time
- Thou'st sported round my window-seat,
- (Thoughtless of evil, as of crime,)
- Pleased, it would seem, my face to greet,
- And feeding with confiding stay,
- On tiny crumbs I threw to thee.
- "Twere base, twere cruel, to betray
- A bird that ne'er had injured me.
- There breathes an everlasting Power,
- Unknown, but felt unseen, but heard;
- He clothes each tree, he tints each flower;
- His arm protects my darling bird.
- Let winter come with stormy voice;
- Let snow-wreaths crown the highest hill;
- He bids thee in the storm rejoice,
- He sees, protects, and feeds thee still.
History and Legacy of Wild Birds Including Historic Ornithology and Other Topics of Interest
06 November 2013
The Snow-bird - An 1841 Poem
Labels:
poetry