Poems of Peace/On releasing a Captive Bird
ON RELEASING A CAPTIVE BIRD
I found a little bird held fast, ensnared
By ruthless hands; a gentle, captive prey
Thirsting for freedom, piteously scared,
Struggling in vain to ’scape and soar away.
I marked his terror, and I took him up;
His fluttering heart spoke out his wild despair.
“Look, you and I with the great gods shall sup
This day,” I said; then threw him into air.
Whereat he soared, and wheeled, and flew away;
Great was his joy, and ruth-born bliss was mine;
Thus supped we both with the high gods that day;
Thus tasted we their nectar, drank their wine.