Poems

Like to a Songless Bird

Like to a songless bird that swings
    On a high branch, and thrills to hear
How the deep-hearted forest rings
    With melody enchanting clear,

And vainly swells his throat to wake
    A song as pure as these that fill
The wood, and every echo shake,
    Whilst he alone is dumb and still.

So, thrilling to the music dear
    Since the first song woke, low and sweet;
To purest sound I bend my ear,
    And with my heart the rhythms beat;

Until the palpitating Past
    With melody becometh rife;
With parted lips and hands locked fast
    I hear the songs of Love and Life.

And then I lift my voice to wake
    A song as pure as these that thrill
Through Time. The vaults with music shake
    And I alone am dumb and still.