Poems (Dorr)/The Blind Bird's Nest
THE BLIND BIRD'S NEST
"The nest of the blind bird is built by God."—Turkish Proverb.
Thou who dost build the blind bird's nest, Am I not blind?Each bird that flyeth east or west The track can find.
Each bird that flies from north to south Knows the far way;From mountain's crest to river's mouth It does not stray.
Not one in all the lengthening land, In all the sky,Or by the ocean's silver strand, Is blind as I!
And dost Thou build the blind bird's nest? Build Thou for meSome shelter where my soul may rest Secure in Thee.
Close clinging to the bending bough, Bind it so fastIt shall not loose if high or low Blows the loud blast.
If fierce storms break, and the wild rain Comes pelting in,Cover the shrinking nest, restrain The furious din.
At sultry noontide, when the air Trembles with heat,Draw close the leafy covert where Cool shadows meet.
And when night falleth, dark and chill, Let one fair star,Love's star all luminous and still, Shine from afar,
Thou who dost build the blind bird's nest Build Thou for me;So shall my being find its rest Forevermore in Thee.