Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE OVENBIRD, by AMOS RUSSEL WELLS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE OVENBIRD, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: You dainty, ardent little preacher
Last Line: Shall be the teacher of us all.
Subject(s): Birds; Ovenbirds


You dainty, ardent little preacher,
Your pulpit some low level limb,
And "Teacher, Teacher, TEACHER, TEACHER!"
Your only sermon, prayer, and hymn;
It is a sermon worth the hearing,
As eagerly you carol it;
You bid us banish doubt and fearing,
And live a life of grace and grit.

Who is the teacher you are praising,
Your body vibrant with the word?
And what His lesson most amazing
That so exalts a tiny bird?
Who can it be but He whose glory
Fills and illumes the summer wood,
Of all whose work is but one story,
That it is loving, strong, and good?

Sly-hidden on the ground below you,
A wondrous oven-arching nest.
He was the Teacher wise to show you
Just how and where to build it best.
The little mate -- He led you to her,
Of all the birds, below, above;
He filled your heart with zeal to woo her,
And taught the one great lesson, love.

No wonder all your feathers quiver
Ecstatic with your sermon-song;
Did ever orator deliver
A speech more vigorous and strong?
Ah, dear and fervent little preacher,
Great spirit in a body small,
Your "Teacher, Teacher, TEACHER, TEACHER!"
Shall be the Teacher of us all.





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