It did not surprise me－1
So I said－or thought－
She will stir her pinions
And the nest forgot,
Traverse broader forests－ 5
Build in gayer boughs,
Breathe in Ear more modern
God's old fashioned vows－
This was but a Birdling－ 9
What and if it be
One within my bosom
Had departed me?
This was but a story－ 13
What and if indeed
There were just such coffin
In the heart instead?
So I said－or thought－
She will stir her pinions
And the nest forgot,
Traverse broader forests－ 5
Build in gayer boughs,
Breathe in Ear more modern
God's old fashioned vows－
This was but a Birdling－ 9
What and if it be
One within my bosom
Had departed me?
This was but a story－ 13
What and if indeed
There were just such coffin
In the heart instead?
(F.50/J.39)
[1] It:: an event, death of a birdling that triggered this poem.
[2–4] thought, forgot:: a thought only, that the birdling will leave the nest.
[5–8] Traverse, Breathe:: and it will live in a modern world.
[9] was, Birdling:: the young bird died before it can see the new world.
[10–12] it, within, bosom:: a young heart in bosom, a secret, wanted to see the world.
[15] coffin:: a box to keep treasure or dead body; a heart being locked and died.
[16] instead:: a young heart died before it can fly.
