Poems (Griffin)/The Caged Bird
THE CAGED BIRD.
LISTEN! listen! listen!
From the woodlands near me,
Where the bright leaves glisten,
Sweet notes come to cheer me.
From the woodlands near me,
Where the bright leaves glisten,
Sweet notes come to cheer me.
Brother warblers singing
In the scented bowers,
Where are dew-drops clinging
Sweetly to the flowers.
In the scented bowers,
Where are dew-drops clinging
Sweetly to the flowers.
From their soft nests, lightly,
Friendly birds have risen;
And on pinions, brightly,
Wheel above my prison.
Friendly birds have risen;
And on pinions, brightly,
Wheel above my prison.
See! one has alighted!
Oh, how sweetly singing
To the soft, green spriglet,
In the free winds swinging!
Oh, how sweetly singing
To the soft, green spriglet,
In the free winds swinging!
Singing songs I loved so,
When, amid my kindred,
I on light wings roved through
Wood and grove unhindered.
When, amid my kindred,
I on light wings roved through
Wood and grove unhindered.
How my bird-heart flutters!
Oh, how wildly beating
'Gainst the gilded shutters,
For one friendly greeting.
Oh, how wildly beating
'Gainst the gilded shutters,
For one friendly greeting.
Grant me but one blessing,—
I will ask no other;
I would send a message
To my sweet bird-mother.
I will ask no other;
I would send a message
To my sweet bird-mother.
Tell her that I never,
Never more shall meet her!
Nor at morning's early dawn
Rise with songs to greet her.
Never more shall meet her!
Nor at morning's early dawn
Rise with songs to greet her.
And, for her sweet comfort,
Tell her that a maiden,
Gentle as the morning breeze
With dewy fragrance laden,
Tell her that a maiden,
Gentle as the morning breeze
With dewy fragrance laden,
Is the tender keeper
Of my captive hours,—
In whose love I half forget
My native woodland bowers.
Of my captive hours,—
In whose love I half forget
My native woodland bowers.