If Joy, the Golden Bird, would fly, Do not close an hand upon her! She belongeth to the sky, With all the winds of heaven on her: Only when her wings are free Bird of Lovely Life is she. He who Joy of Life would store Heart of his be widely open; Throw the key out with the door, Throw the hope out with the hopen; Give her -- as she finds in sky -- Place to dip, and soar, and fly. She will come again, I wist! She of thee shall not be frighted! She shall sing upon thy fist! By her shall thy dark be lighted! By her freedom thou art given Right and room in joyous heaven! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BOTANICAL GARDENS by EDGAR LEE MASTERS MENAPHON: SEPHESTIA'S [CRADLE] SONG TO HER CHILD by ROBERT GREENE CEREMONIES FOR CHRISTMAS (1) by ROBERT HERRICK CANADA by CHARLES GEORGE DOUGLAS ROBERTS LILIES: 30. THE WHOLE by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) THE WEST FRONT by ROBERT SEYMOUR BRIDGES LINES [WRITTEN] IN THE TRAVELLER'S BOOK AT ORCHOMENUS by GEORGE GORDON BYRON |