Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, TO A BIRD IN THE CITY, by MATTHIAS BARR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

TO A BIRD IN THE CITY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Ah, bird! I bless thee in my heart; god knows I love to see
Last Line: Such things speak plainer far to me than all that man can say.
Subject(s): Birds; Cities; Urban Life


AH, bird! I bless thee in my heart; God knows I love to see
Thy tiny form, for none can tell the thoughts you bring to me --
The happy thoughts of far-off times, times long'd for now in vain,
Of thoughtless nights and careless days I'll never know again.

O breezy hills, O balmy groves, O pleasant seas and streams,
O sunlit fields, and green, green lanes, I only see in dreams --
These, these, all these, and more, are thine: what joy, O bird! for you,
While here I pine with burning brow the golden summer through!

Dear bird! thy name is link'd with all earth's sweetest things afar:
Thou hast no place, thou simple one, where toiling thousands are:
The hedgerows, white with blossoms all; the morning wet with dew;
The tranquil eve -- boon here unknown -- these, these belong to you.

Then leave us, bird! yet take with thee my blessing as you go,
And what of best and holiest thoughts my nature can bestow.
Thy gift will prove a richer dower than that I give to thee;
A hoard of mem'ries shall be mine when thou art lost to me.

O life! this is a bitter world -- a world full stern and cold:
We need such signs to keep our hearts and thoughts from growing old;
We need such signs to guide us here and help us on our way;
Such things speak plainer far to me than all that man can say.





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