The Poetry Corner

Little Bird

By Madison Julius Cawein

I. A Little bird sits in our cottonwood tree, And perks his head and sings; And this is the song he pipes to me While he flirts his tail and wings: "Hello! hello! You jolly little fellow! "Hello! hello! I say! Do you hear me every morning How I try to give you warning? With my little song adorning Every day, every day; With my little song adorning every day. I want to tell you this, sir: You are sweeter than a kiss, sir, You are fairer than a posy, With your face so fresh and rosy; Oh, I love to see you merry at your play, Every day; I love to see you laughing at your play. Hello! hello! You merry little fellow!" II. And I run to the tree where he sings and sits, High up on the topmost limb; And he cocks his eye and flirts and flits While I reply to him: "Hello! hello! You cunning little fellow! Hello! hello! I say! You are complimenting early; And your song is clear and pearly As the dewdrop dripping nearly From the spray, from the spray; As the dewdrop dripping nearly from the spray. Your singing is far sweeter Than any rhyme or metre: Oh, I love to hear you whistle, Swinging lighter than a thistle, And I hope you'll come and see me every day, Every day; I hope you'll come and see me every day. Hello! hello! You darling little fellow!"