The Poetry Corner

A Visit From Abroad (The Adventures Of Seumas Beg)

By James Stephens

A speck went blowing up against the sky As little as a leaf: then it drew near And broadened. "It's a bird," said I, And fetched my bow and arrows. It was queer! It grew up from a speck into a blot, And squattered past a cloud; then it flew down All crumply, and waggled such a lot I thought the thing would fall., It was a brown Old carpet where a man was sitting snug Who, when he reached the ground, began to sew A big hole in the middle of the rug, And kept on peeping everywhere to know Who might be coming, then he gave a twist And flew away....I fired at him but missed.