Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE DOWNY WOODPECKER, by JOHN BURROUGHS Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Downy came and dwelt with me Last Line: In this charmed spot. Subject(s): Birds; Woodpeckers | ||||||||
Downy came and dwelt with me, Taught me hermit lore; Drilled his cell in oaken tree Near my cabin door. Architect of his own home In the forest dim. Carving its inverted dome In a dozy limb. Carved it deep and shaped it true With his little bill; Took no thought about the view, Whether dale or hill. Shook the chips upon the ground, Careless who might see, Hark! his hatchet's muffled sound Hewing in the tree. Round his door as compass-mark, True and smooth his wall; Just a shadow on the bark Points you to his hall. Downy leads a hermit life All the winter through; Free his days from jar and strife, And his cares are few. Walking up the frozen woods, Shaking down the snows; Many trees of many moods Echo to his blows. When the storms of winter rage, Be it night or day, Then I know my little page Sleeps the time away. Downy's stores are in the trees, Egg and ant and grub; Juicy tidbits, rich as cheese, Hid in stump and stub. Rat-tat-tat his chisel goes, Cutting out his prey; Every boring insect knows When he comes its way. Always rapping at their doors, Never welcome he; All his kind, they vote, are bores, Whom they dread to see. Why does Downy live alone In his snug retreat? Has he found that near the bone Is the sweetest meat? Birdie craved another fate When the spring had come; Advertised him for a mate On his dry-limb drum. Drummed her up and drew him near, In the April morn, Till she owned him for her dear In his state forlorn. Now he shirks all family cares, This I must confess; Quite absorbed in self affairs In the season's stress. We are neighbors well agreed Of a common lot; Peace and love our only creed In this charmed spot. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WOODPECKER by KENNETH SLADE ALLING THE WOODPECKER by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS LIKE THEY SAY by ROBERT CREELEY A LEGEND OF THE NORTHLAND by PHOEBE CARY THE WOODPECKER by WILLIAM MORRIS (1834-1896) THE WOODPECKER by JOHN BANISTER TABB WOODPECKER by RICHARD THOMAS CHURCH AS LONG AS THE WOODPECKER by JAMES HARRISON |
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