Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SHORT PRECARIOUS HOUR, by FLORENCE DICKINSON STEARNS First Line: A bird of red consented to remain Last Line: It was as though the silence breathed a name. Subject(s): Birds | ||||||||
A bird of red consented to remain, A slim guest artist, in my maple tree Where, glowing as a lantern in the rain, He balanced on a grey twig perilously. Over the piebald sod beneath the branch The thick fog lifted from the thinning snow. I marvelled that a creature had so staunch An optimism, facing such a foe As life. This bird, alone, devoid of power, Persisting through survival of the strong, This wing riding the short precarious hour That brings disaster or tomorrow's song, Had kept his bright appointment with the tree, His gay itinerary etched in flame. It was as though a spirit spoke to me; It was as though the silence breathed a Name. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GLIMPSES OF THE BIRDS by JOHN HOLLANDER GLIMPSES OF THE BIRDS by JOHN HOLLANDER AUDUBON EXAMINES A BITTERN by ANDREW HUDGINS DISPATCHES FROM DEVEREUX SLOUGH by MARK JARMAN A COUNTRY LIFE by RANDALL JARRELL CANADIAN WARBLER by GALWAY KINNELL YELLOW BIRD by KENNETH SLADE ALLING THE CRIPPLE by KARLE WILSON BAKER BRIGHT LOSS by FLORENCE DICKINSON STEARNS |
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