- There's a quaint little fellow in black,
- In an out-of-the-way place he hides;
- Good nature he never doth lack,
- And fretting and care he derides.
- With arms held akimbo he stands
- And takes the world easy each day;
- He owneth not houses nor lands,
- Yet in sunlight or rain he doth say,
- "Cheer up! cheer up!"
- There's a queer little matron who hops
- Mid leaves of the garden and grove;
- Her querulous tongue never stops
- Complaining where'er she doth rove.
- She seemeth a sprite of old care,.
- While cheery and blue are the skies,
- And joy is abroad on the air;
- Forever she slumbers and cries,
- "Oh dear! Oh, dear!"
- There are boys, yes, and girls, like these twain
- I meet them in field and in street;
- From fretting some never abstain,
- But some all cheerfulness seem,
- A cricket or cat-bird to-day,
- Now which, will you be, little dear?
- A kiss for the red lips that say,
- Though skies may be cloudy or clear,
- "Cheer up! Cheer up!"
History and Legacy of Wild Birds Including Historic Ornithology and Other Topics of Interest
30 January 2014
Cricket and Cat-Bird
Labels:
poetry