-- Oh, Brave Spring Thrush --

John Herlihy

Oh, brave spring thrush,

Why are you in such a rush,

On this glorious spring day,

Indeed, with so much to say.

The beauty of your speckled chest,

At rest in your hand-made nest.

How you fluff your fine feathers,

In the fickleness of spring weathers.

Sing sweetly this spring song,

As if you could do no wrong.

How you betoken this fine hour,

With such graceful, wistful power.

To fly free, borne aloft in the air,

At ease in your praise and prayer.

Sitting in the pomegranate tree,

Noble and wide-eyed for all to see.

I too will give God my thanks,

As I sit here on the river’s banks.

This once in a lifetime reverie,

Locked in the folds of my memory.

All things pass and so must we,

Neglect not each moment to see.

Listen closely to the bird’s song,

‘Til long after the bird has gone.

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(c) John Herlihy 22 May 2019