The Singing Garden
THE YELLOW ROBIN
I'm the friendliest of them all,
   When winter comes;
Daily at your door I call
   Begging crumbs.
Clinging sideways to a stake,
Eloquent appeal I make.
"Spare a scrap for pity's sake!
   This cold air numbs."

I will follow as you dig And search the dirt. Worms or bettles, small or big, Are my dessert; And, should you seem gently kind, From your hand I do not mind Taking anything you find; But I'm a flirt.
For when spring comes to the land You are forgot. I have great affairs on hand As days wax hot. Should I pass you, I pretend To ignore my winter's friend; Intimacy's at an end; I know you not.
Yet, when winter comes once more, And summer ends, You will find me at your door To make amends; Clinging sideways to a stake, Eloquent appeal I'll make: "Spare a scrap for pity's sake! Aw, let's be friends!"

"Den"
The Herald 26 September 1932 - Number 10 in the Bush Birds series.

Copyright © Perry Middlemiss 2002-05