[Editor: This poem by C. J. Dennis was published in The Singing Garden (1935).]
The Blue Wren
When the Mighty Craftsman drew
Summer sky and summer sea —
Tints ethereally blue —
Here and there a small drop flew
From His brush, and fell on me.
Once a sober bird of brown;
Now, with my cerulean gem
Marking me for high renown,
Perkily I bear my crown
As a kingly diadem.
For who pays me fit respect
Full of friendliness am I —
Sprightly mite by heaven decked,
As a badge of His elect,
With a scrap of His great sky.
Out across the dew-wet lawn
Daintily I dance along,
And, as night’s veil is withdrawn,
Valiantly greet the dawn
With a loud, full-throated song.
Azure cape and azure cap,
Borrowed from a sunny sky —
Here and there a glowing scrap —
I’m a most important chap;
Full of great affairs am I.
For no soaring flight I yearn;
But, with wife and brood complete,
Dance I in and out the fern,
Bow and pirouette and turn,
With my whole world at my feet.
Source:
C. J. Dennis, The Singing Garden, Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1935, pages 161-162
Editor’s notes:
azure = the blue of a clear unclouded sky
cerulean = (also spelt “caerulean”) sky-blue; a deep blue colour; blue the colour of a clear blue sky
diadem = a type of crown or royal ornamental headband
ethereal = insubstantial, light, tenuous, or lacking material substance; heavenly, otherworldly, spiritual; or something very delicate or refined
Mighty Craftsman = in a religious context, and capitalized, a reference to God
pirouette = a spinning or twirling dance move, performed on one foot (usually with the other foot resting on the knee of the other leg), as performed in ballet dances
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