AH, bird! I bless thee in my heart; God knows I love to see Thy tiny form, for none can tell the thoughts you bring to me -- The happy thoughts of far-off times, times long'd for now in vain, Of thoughtless nights and careless days I'll never know again. O breezy hills, O balmy groves, O pleasant seas and streams, O sunlit fields, and green, green lanes, I only see in dreams -- These, these, all these, and more, are thine: what joy, O bird! for you, While here I pine with burning brow the golden summer through! Dear bird! thy name is link'd with all earth's sweetest things afar: Thou hast no place, thou simple one, where toiling thousands are: The hedgerows, white with blossoms all; the morning wet with dew; The tranquil eve -- boon here unknown -- these, these belong to you. Then leave us, bird! yet take with thee my blessing as you go, And what of best and holiest thoughts my nature can bestow. @3Thy@1 gift will prove a richer dower than that I give to thee; A hoard of mem'ries shall be mine when thou art lost to me. O life! this is a bitter world -- a world full stern and cold: We need such signs to keep our hearts and thoughts from growing old; We need such signs to guide us here and help us on our way; Such things speak plainer far to me than all that man can say. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LITTLE FEET by ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN ROBERT E. LEE by JULIA WARD HOWE TO THE MAN-OF-WAR-BIRD by WALT WHITMAN SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 17. THE CHILD by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) FRAGMENTS INTENDED FOR DEATH'S JEST-BOOK: SORROW by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES THE LAST MAN: ROSILY DYING by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES |