Poems (Van Vorst)/Like to a Songless Bird
LIKE TO A SONGLESS BIRD
Like to a songless bird that swings On a high branch, and thrills to hear How the deep-hearted forest rings With melody enchanting clear,
And vainly swells his throat to wake A song as pure as these that fill The wood, and every echo shake, Whilst he alone is dumb and still.
So, thrilling to the music dear Since the first song woke, low and sweet; To purest sound I bend my ear, And with my heart the rhythms beat;
Until the palpitating Past With melody becometh rife; With parted lips and hands locked fast I hear the songs of Love and Life.
And then I lift my voice to wake A song as pure as these that thrill Through Time. The vaults with music shake And I alone am dumb and still.