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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THE GOOD BIRDS by ELINOR WYLIE

Poem Explanation Poet Analysis

First Line: THREADING THE EVIL HAND AND LOOK
Last Line: BETWEEN MY LOVELY GROUND AND GOD.
Subject(s): BIRDS;

Threading the evil hand and look
I sprang, on sinews spare and light,
To sleep beside a water-brook
Where snow was sprinkled overnight.

I spread my cloak upon the ground,
I laid my head upon a stone,
I stared into the sky and found
That I no longer lived alone.

He turned His burning eyes on me
From smoke above a mountain-shelf;
I did not want His company
Who wanted no one but myself.

I whistled shrill, I whistled keen;
The birds were servant to my nod.
They wove their wings into a screen
Between my lovely ground and God.



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