The City Council has granted permission to the Railways Commission to shoot magpies which build nests of wire in the overhead equipment of the electric train system.
O joyous caroller of morn
Whose wild, triumphant fluting brings
Cheer to an Autumn day new born,
Who, in the dawn's cool, splendor, flings
Defiance to the departing night,
Bidding Gloom's myrmidons begone,
Harmonious harbinger of light,
Proud trumpeter, sing on, sing on!
O foolish and imprudent fowl
Who stops the early morning rain,
While mad commuters loudly howl
And traffic managers complain,
Death claims you. Yet, cease not to sing
In that bird heaven to which you've gone
Thro' your domestic blundering,
Short-circuiter, sing on, sing on!
First published in The Herald, 21 March 1929
Author reference sites: C.J. Dennis, Austlit, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Australian Poetry Library
See also.
