Poetry Quotes

7/27/2019 Poetry Quotes

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Name Website QuoteW. H.Hudson

http://www.online-literature.com/wh-hudson/naturalist-in-laplata/16/

"Have you ever observed a hummingbird moving aboutin an aerial dance among the flowers-- a living prismaticgem ... it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as tomock all description."

The special kind of beauty which makes the first sight of a humming-bird a revelation depends on the swiftsingular motions as much as on the intense gem-like and metallicbrilliancy of the plumage. The minute exquisite form,when the bird hovers on misty wings, probing the flowerswith its coral spear, the fan-like tail expanded, andpoising motionless, exhibits the feathers shot with manyhues; and the next moment vanishes, or all but vanishes,then reappears at another flower only to vanish again,and so on successively, showing its splendours notcontinuously, but like the intermitted flashes of thefirefly--this forms a picture of airy grace and lovelinessthat baffles description.

when balanced before a flower the swift motion of thewings obliterates their form, making them seem like amist encircling the body; yet it is precisely this formlesscloud on which the glittering body hangs suspended,which contributes most to give the humming-bird itswonderful sprite-like or extra-natural appearance.

the changeful tints that glow with such intensity on thescale-like feathers,

the coarser metallic reflections on a black plumage...butthe glittering garment of the humming-bird, like thesilvery lace woven by the Epeira, gemmed with dew andtouched with rainbow-coloured light, has never been andnever can be imitated by art.

peculiar and glittering colour when the light falls uponit from a particular direction

glittering iridescent tints and singular ornaments

A score of hummingbirds, of as many distinct species,are less to the student of habits than one little brown-plurnaged bird haunting his garden or the rush-bed of aneighbouring stream

feathered fairies perpetually weaving their aerial ballet-dance about the flowers

curving and crossing each other so as to form geometrical figures unlike anything innature

How wonderful their garb is, with coloursso varied, so intense, yet seemingly so evanescent!--the
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glittering mantle of powdered gold; the emerald greenthat changes to velvet black; ruby reds and luminousscarlets; dull bronze that brightens and burns likepolished brass, and pale neutral tints that kindle to roseand lilac-coloured flame. And to the glory of prismaticcolouring are added feather decorations, such as the

racket-plumes and downy muffs of Spathura, the crestand frills of Lophornis, the sapphire gorget burningon the snow-white breast of Oreotrochilus, the fiery tail of Cometes, and, amongst grotesque forms, the longpointed crest-feathers, representing horns, and flowing-white beard adorning the piebald goat-like face of Oxypogon.

Henry Craik http://www.bartleby.com/209/376.html

These I will pass by, but not those little nimblemusicians of the air, that warble forth their curious dittieswith which Nature has furnished them to the shame of art.

At first the lark, when she means to rejoice, to cheer herself and those that hear her, she then quits the earthand sings as she ascends higher into the air; and, havingended her heavenly employment, grows then mute andsad to think she must descend to the dull earth, whichshe would not touch but for necessity.

But the nightingale, another of my airy creatures,breathes such sweet loud music out of her littleinstrumental throat, that it might make mankind to thinkmiracles are not ceased.

WilliamWordsworth

http://www.bartleby.com/145/ww197.html

The pious bird with the scarlet breast, Our little EnglishRobin;

The bird that comes about our doors

When Autumn-winds are sobbing?

WilliamWordsworth

http://www.bartleby.com/145/ww301.html

"Happier of happy though I be, like them I cannot takepossession of the sky, mount with a thoughtless impulse,and wheel there, one of a mighty multitude whose wayand motion is a harmony and dance magnificent."

PaulLaurenceDunbar

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sympathy/

When the wind stirs soft through the springing grass, And the river flows like a stream of glass;When the first bird sings and the first bud opes,

And the faint perfume from its chalice steals--I know what the caged bird feels!

I know why the caged bird beats his wingTill its blood is red on the cruel bars;

And a pain still throbs in the old, old scars And they pulse again with a keener sting--I know why he beats his wing!
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When he beats his bars and he would be free;It is not a carol of joy or glee,But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core,But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings--I know why the caged bird sings!

JohnBurroughs

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/bluebird-8/

A wistful note from out the sky,But now a flash of eager wing,Flitting, twinkling by the wall,

And pleadings sweet and am'rous call,- Ah, now I know his heart doth sing!

O bluebird, welcome back again,Thy azure coat and ruddy vest

Are hues that April loveth best,-

The forest folk peep from their holes,

JohnBurroughshttp://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-downy-woodpecker/

Shook the chips upon the ground,Careless who might see.Hark! his hatchet's muffled soundHewing in the tree.

JohnBurroughs

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-crow-19/

Hues protective are not thine,So sleek thy coat each quill doth shine.

Diamond black to end of toe,Thy counterpoint the crystal snow.

Always groomed to tip of feather,Calm and trim in every weather,

Hunters, prowlers, woodland loversVainly seek the leafy covers. Noisy, scheming, andpredacious,With demeanor almost gracious,Dowered with leisure, void of hurry,Void of fuss and void of worry,Good crow wit that's always burnishedLike the coat her care has furnished.

JohnBurroughs

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-partridge/

'T is the grouse with kindled soul,Wistful of his mate and nest,Sounding forth his vernal rollOn his love-enkindled breast.

Ah! ruffled drummer, let thy wingBeat a march the days will heed,Wake and spur the tardy spring,Till minstrel voices jocund ring,

And spring is spring in very deed.

JohnBurroughs

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-coming-of-phoebe/

When buckets shine 'gainst maple trees And dropp by dropp the sap doth flow,
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Then morning brings the phoebe's call,'phoebe,phoebe, phoebe,' a cheery note,While cackling hens make such a rout.

When wild ducks quack in creek and pond And bluebirds perch on mullein-stalks,When spring has burst her icy bond

Aesop http://www.cockatielcottage.net/fables.html

The Caged Bird and the BatThe bird filled the night with beautiful songs, while all of the other birds were asleep.

EmmaLazarus

http://www.notable-quotes.com/b/birds_quotes.html

Lo--a black line of birds in wavering threadBore him the greetings of the deathless dead!

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