A Birding Walk
Location
In hills beneath a leafy, living sea
I seek elusive gems to see and name.
In their own tongues, some known, some strange to me,
Their anthems sound throughout their secret home.
I glimpse, though height of limb obscure it well,
A flying, singing, silhouetted blur--
That makes off in a wink, and leaves all still
Until a song once more sounds from afar.
The sun, just hatched when I began, has fledged,
So now my quest must drop aside undone.
But next time, driven by the prize alleged,
Which sounds and sense confirm, I'll press right on,
For I may always see how safe our Shield's
Concern each half-cent masterpiece conceals.