Classic and Contemporary Poetry
VISIT OF THE WRENS, by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Flying from out the gusty west Last Line: Lost in a pure, ethereal grace! Subject(s): Birds; Wrens | ||||||||
FLYING from out the gusty west, To seek the place where last year's nest, Ragged, and torn by many a rout Of winter winds, still rocks about The branches of the gnarled old tree Which sweep my cottage library -- Here on the genial southern side, In a late gleam of sunset's pride, Came back my tiny, springtide friends, The self-same pair of chattering wrens That with arch eyes and restless bill Used to frequent you window sill, Winged sprites, in April's showery glow. 'Tis now twelve weary months ago Since first I saw them; here again They drop outside the glittering pane, Each bearing a dried twig or leaf, To build with labor hard, yet brief, This season's nest, where, blue and round, Their fairy eggs will soon be found. But sky and breeze and blithesome sun, Until that little home is done, Shall -- wondering, maybe -- hear and see Such chatter, bustle, industry, As well may stir to emulous strife Slow currents of a languid life, Whether in bird or man they run! But when, in sooth, the nest complete Swings gently in its green retreat, And soft the mother birdling's breast Doth in the cozy circlet rest, How, back from jovial journeying, Merry of heart, though worn of wing, Her brown mate, proudly perched above The limb that holds his brooding love, His head upturned, his aspect sly, Regards her with a cunning eye, As one who saith, "How well you bear The dullness of these duties, dear; To dwell so long on nest or tree Would be, I know, slow death to me; But, then, you women folk were made For patient waiting, in -- the shade!" So tame one little guest becomes -- 'Tis the male bird -- my scattered crumbs He takes from window sill and lawn Each morning in the early dawn; And yesterday he dared to stand Serenely on my outstretched hand, While his wee wife, with puzzled glance, Looked from her breezy seat askance! My pretty pensioners! ye have flown Twice from your winter nook unknown, To build your humble homestead here, In the first flush of springtide cheer; But ah! I wonder if again, Flitting outside the window pane, When next the shrewd March winds shall blow, Or in mild April's showers glow, New come from out the shimmering west, You'll seek the place of this year's nest, Ragged and torn by then, no doubt, And swinging in worn shreds about The branches of the ancient tree. Nay, who may tell? Yet, verily, Methinks when, spring and summer passed, Adown the long, low autumn blast, In some dim gloaming, chill and drear, You, with your fledglings, disappear, That ne'er by porch or tree or pane Mine eyes shall greet your forms again! What then? At least the good ye brought, The delicate charms for eye and thought Survives; though death should be your doom Before another spring flower's bloom, Or fairer clime should tempt your wings To bide 'mid fragrant blossomings On some far Southland's golden lea, Still may fresh spring morns light for me Your tiny nest, their breezes bear Your chirping, household joyance near And all your quirks and tricksome ways Bring back through many smiling days Or future Aprils; not the less Your simple drama shall impress Fancy and heart, thus acted o'er Toward each small issue, as of yore, With sun and wind and skies of blue To witness, wondering, all you do, Because your happy toil and mirth May be of fine, ideal birth; Because each quick, impulsive note May thrill a visionary throat, Each flash of glancing wing and eye Be gleams of vivid fantasy; Since whatsoe'er of form and tone A past reality hath known, Most charming unto soul and sense, But wins that subtle effluence, That spiritual air which softly clings About all sweet and vanished things, Causing a bygone joy to be Vital as actuality, Yet with each earthlier tint or trace Lost in a pure, ethereal grace! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE ENVIOUS WREN by PHOEBE CARY THE THREE WRENS by PHOEBE CARY JENNY WREN by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE SLEEP OF WOOD IN THE HOUSE OF WRENS by GEORGE LOONEY ONCE I COULD SAY by IRA SADOFF FOR A WINTER WREN by DAVID WAGONER CHILD'S TALK IN APRIL by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI THE WINDOW; OR, THE SONG OF THE WRENS: SPRING by ALFRED TENNYSON A STORM IN THE DISTANCE (AMONG THE GEORGIAN HILLS) by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE |
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