[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And, as night’s veil is withdrawn,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
The Institute of Australian Culture
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