The Bullfinches

By Thomas Hardy

6/2/1840-1/11/1928


Bother Bulleys, let us sing
         From the dawn till evening! -
For we know not that we go not
         When the day's pale pinions fold
         Unto those who sang of old.

         When I flew to Blackmoor Vale,
         Whence the green-gowned faeries hail,
Roosting near them I could hear them
         Speak of queenly Nature's ways,
         Means, and moods,--well known to fays.

         All we creatures, nigh and far
         (Said they there), the Mother's are:
Yet she never shows endeavour
         To protect from warrings wild
         Bird or beast she calls her child.

         Busy in her handsome house
         Known as Space, she falls a-drowse;
Yet, in seeming, works on dreaming,
         While beneath her groping hands
         Fiends make havoc in her bands.

         How her hussif'ry succeeds
         She unknows or she unheeds,
All things making for Death's taking!
         --So the green-gowned faeries say
         Living over Blackmoor way.

         Come then, brethren, let us sing,
         From the dawn till evening! -
For we know not that we go not
         When the day's pale pinions fold
         Unto those who sang of old.

DayPoems Poem No. 1027
<a href="http://www.daypoems.net/poems/1027.html">The Bullfinches by Thomas Hardy</a>

The DayPoems Poetry Collection, www.daypoems.net
Timothy Bovee, editor

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