 | New songs of innocence |  |
53
THE BIRDS.
Without, the snow is whit'ning
All patient earthly things—
When, swift as summer lightning,
There's a flash of fluttering wings,
And a soft red bosom beating
Against the frozen pane,
And two bright eyes entreating
For aid, and not in vain.
All patient earthly things—
When, swift as summer lightning,
There's a flash of fluttering wings,
And a soft red bosom beating
Against the frozen pane,
And two bright eyes entreating
For aid, and not in vain.
Swift glance up from my bosom
Two other eyes of blue—
Two flower-like eyes, that blossom
The barren winter through.
And they too are appealing
For entrance and for aid,
In this new country feeling
Alone yet and afraid.
Two other eyes of blue—
Two flower-like eyes, that blossom
The barren winter through.
And they too are appealing
For entrance and for aid,
In this new country feeling
Alone yet and afraid.
O trembling bird without there,
O bird upon my breast,
The love ye ask and doubt there
Can never be expressed:
My love so fain would cover
All helpless earthly things
With the passion of a lover,
With a mother's patient wings!
O bird upon my breast,
The love ye ask and doubt there
Can never be expressed:
54
All helpless earthly things
With the passion of a lover,
With a mother's patient wings!
But the love I scarce can utter
In a finite heart is furled:
Birds are we all, and flutter
On the brink of another world.
At the window of heaven gather
Tired wings and wistful eyes—
Open it wide, O Father,
To every bird that flies!
In a finite heart is furled:
Birds are we all, and flutter
On the brink of another world.
At the window of heaven gather
Tired wings and wistful eyes—
Open it wide, O Father,
To every bird that flies!
| New songs of innocence | |