ADVICE TO A BLUE-BIRD

ADVICE TO A BLUE-BIRD

Who can make a delicate adventureOf walking on the ground?Who can make grass-bladesArcades for pertly careless straying?You alone, who skim against these leaves,Turning all desire into light whipsMoulded by your deep blue wing-tips,You who shrill your unconcernInto the sternly antique sky.You to whom all thingsHold an equal kiss of touch.Mincing, wanton blue-bird,Grimace at the hoofs of passing men.You alone can lose yourselfWithin a sky, and rob it of its blue!

Who can make a delicate adventureOf walking on the ground?Who can make grass-bladesArcades for pertly careless straying?You alone, who skim against these leaves,Turning all desire into light whipsMoulded by your deep blue wing-tips,You who shrill your unconcernInto the sternly antique sky.You to whom all thingsHold an equal kiss of touch.Mincing, wanton blue-bird,Grimace at the hoofs of passing men.You alone can lose yourselfWithin a sky, and rob it of its blue!

Who can make a delicate adventureOf walking on the ground?Who can make grass-bladesArcades for pertly careless straying?You alone, who skim against these leaves,Turning all desire into light whipsMoulded by your deep blue wing-tips,You who shrill your unconcernInto the sternly antique sky.You to whom all thingsHold an equal kiss of touch.

Who can make a delicate adventure

Of walking on the ground?

Who can make grass-blades

Arcades for pertly careless straying?

You alone, who skim against these leaves,

Turning all desire into light whips

Moulded by your deep blue wing-tips,

You who shrill your unconcern

Into the sternly antique sky.

You to whom all things

Hold an equal kiss of touch.

Mincing, wanton blue-bird,Grimace at the hoofs of passing men.You alone can lose yourselfWithin a sky, and rob it of its blue!

Mincing, wanton blue-bird,

Grimace at the hoofs of passing men.

You alone can lose yourself

Within a sky, and rob it of its blue!


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