Three and thirty birds there stood In an elder in a wood; Called Melmillo -- flew off three, Leaving thirty in the tree; Called Melmillo -- nine now gone, And the boughs held twenty-one; Called Melmillo -- and eighteen Left but three to nod and preen; Called Melmillo -- three -- two -- one Now of birds were feathers none. Then stole slim Melmillo in To that wood all dusk and green, And with lean long palms outspread Softly a strange dance did tread; Not a note of music she Had for echoing company; All the birds were flown to rest In the hollow of her breast; In the wood -- thorn, elder, willow -- Danced alone -- lone danced Melmillo. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PENT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON LANDSCAPES (FOR CLEMENT R. WOOD) by LOUIS UNTERMEYER SLUG IN WOODS by EARL (EARLE) BIRNEY DEATH AND THE LADY; THEIR BARGAIN TOLD AGAIN by LEONIE ADAMS AUTUMNAL SONNET by WILLIAM ALLINGHAM IN PRAISE OF A COUNTRY LIFE by PHILIP AYRES VERSES TO HER WHO IS JUSTLY ENTITLED TO THEM by BERNARD BARTON |