IF the bird Had no list'ner, wrapt, adoring; If its song in joyous soaring Fell upon the air unheard; If no flower-lips, entrancèd Where the golden sunbeam glancèd, Drank the song the bird was flinging, What would be the use of singing? If the flower, Lifting up its petaled crown Where the sun comes filt'ring down, Never felt the summer shower; If no busy, vagrant bees Came to woo it with the breeze; If no golden light was flooding, What would be the use of budding? If the heart Never felt the quick pulsation, Never knew the sweet elation That of faithful love is part; If lips lacked the warmth of kissing; If the tender words were missing That true hearts delight in giving, What would be the use of living? | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE STORY OF SEVENTY-SIX by WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT FREDERICK DOUGLASS by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR QUATRAIN: FATE by RALPH WALDO EMERSON THE RAINY SUMMER by ALICE MEYNELL THE ARGONAUTS (ARGONATUICA): REMORSE by APOLLONIUS RHODIUS ON GOOD FRIDAY, THE DAY OF OUR SAVIOUR'S PASSION by PHILIP AYRES URANIA; THE WOMAN IN THE MOON: THE FIRST CANTO, OR NEW MOON by WILLIAM BASSE |