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She Dotes on What the Wild Birds Say(1915)

Edward Thomas

She dotes on what the wild birds say
MeterShe dotes on what the wild birds say
Or hint or mock at, night and day,–
MeterOr hint or mock at, night and day,–
Thrush, blackbird, all that sing in May
MeterThrush, blackbird, all that sing in May
And songless plover,
MeterAnd songless plover,
Hawk, heron, owl, and woodpecker.
MeterHawk, heron, owl, and woodpecker.
They never say a word to her
MeterThey never say a word to her
About her lover.
MeterAbout her lover.

She laughs at them for childishness,
MeterShe laughs at them for childishness,
She cries at them for carelessness
MeterShe cries at them for carelessness
Who see her going loverless
MeterWho see her going loverless
Yet sing and chatter
MeterYet sing and chatter
Just as when he was not a ghost,
MeterJust as when he was not a ghost,
Nor ever ask her what she has lost
MeterNor ever ask her what she has lost
Or what is the matter.
MeterOr what is the matter.

Yet she has fancied blackbirds hide
MeterYet she has fancied blackbirds hide
A secret, and that thrushes chide
MeterA secret, and that thrushes chide
Because she thinks death can divide
MeterBecause she thinks death can divide
Her from her lover;
MeterHer from her lover;
And she has slept, trying to translate
MeterAnd she has slept, trying to translate
The word the cuckoo cries to his mate
MeterThe word the cuckoo cries to his mate
Over and over.
MeterOver and over.

Rhyme
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