Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CROW, by JOHN BURROUGHS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: My friend and neighbor through the year Last Line: That thou playest the part of scare crow. Subject(s): Birds; Crows | ||||||||
I My friend and neighbor through the year, Self-appointed overseer Of my crops of fruit and grain, Of my woods and furrowed plain, Claim thy tithings right and left, I shall never call it a theft. Nature wisely made the law, And I fail to find a flaw In thy title to the earth, And all it holds of any worth. I like thy self-complacent air, I like the ways so free from care, Thy landlord stroll about my fields, Quickly noting what each yields; Thy courtly mien and bearing bold, As if thy claims were bought with gold; Thy floating shape against the sky, When days are calm and clouds are high; Thy thrifty flight ere rise of sun, Thy homing clans when day is done. Hues protective are not thine, So sleek thy coat each quill doth shine. Diamond black to end of toe, Thy counter-point the crystal snow. II Never plaintive nor appealing, Quite at home when thou art stealing, Always groomed to tip of feather, Calm and trim in every weather, Morn till night my woods policing, Every sound thy watch increasing. Hawk and owl in treetop hiding Feel the shame of thy deriding. Naught escapes thy observation, None but dread thy accusation. III Hunters, prowlers, woodland lovers Vainly seek the leafy covers. Noisy, scheming, and predacious, With demeanor almost gracious. Dowered with leisure, void of hurry, Void of fuss and void of worry, Friendly bandit, Robin Hood, Judge and jury of the wood, Or Captain Kidd of sable quill, Hiding treasures in the hill. Nature made thee for each season, Gave thee wit for amble reason, Good crow wit that's always burnished Like the coat her care has furnished. May thy numbers ne'er diminish, I'll befriend thee till life's finish. May I never cease to meet thee, May I never have to eat thee. And mayest thou never have to fare so That thou playest the part of scare crow. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CALVES NOT CHOSEN by LINDA GREGG THE THREE CROWS by PHILIP LEVINE THE CROWS AT 3 A.M. by STANLEY PLUMLY THE GREAT BLACK CROW by PHILIP JAMES BAILEY |
|