Author: Arthur Hugh Clough
Lips, lips, open! Up comes a little bird that lives inside Up comes a little bird, and peeps, and out he flies. All the day he sits inside, and sometimes he sings, Up he comes, and out he goes at night to spread his wings. Little bird, little bird, whither will you go? Round about the world, while nobody can know. Little bird, little bird, whither do you flee? Far away around the world, while nobody can see. Little bird, little bird, how long will you roam? All round the world and around again home; Round the round world, and back through the air, When the morning comes, the little bird is there. Back comes the little bird and looks and in he flies, Up wakes the little boy, and opens both his eyes. Sleep, sleep, little boy, little birds away, Little bird will come again, by the peep of day; Sleep, little boy, the little bird must go Round about the world, while nobody can know. Sleep, sleep sound, little bird goes round, Round and round he goes; sleep, sleep sound.
Type of Poem: Narrative Poem
Date Written:
Date Published:
Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Publisher:
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Comments/Notes: This charming poem seems to embody themes of freedom, exploration, and the cyclical nature of life, as seen through the metaphor of a little bird. The tone of the poem is quietly joyous and somewhat whimsical, filled with a sense of wonder and movement. The narrative voice has an almost lullaby-like quality, which adds to the overall soothing and comforting ambiance.
The poem's structure is simple and rhythmic, with a regular rhyme scheme that echoes the cyclical journey of the bird. This cyclical structure nicely encapsulates the bird's daily journey, underscoring the theme of life's constant motion and the return to beginnings. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "little bird," and "round about the world," serves to emphasize this cyclical theme and adds a musical quality to the poem. The use of direct address, where the speaker seems to interact with both the bird and a little boy builds a sense of intimacy and engagement. The bird serves as a symbol for freedom, adventure, and the spirit of exploration, while the boy may represent innocence and the joy of awakening to a new day. The bird's journey, unseen and unknown to others, underscores the inherent mystery and expansiveness of the world. The poem thus manages to convey complex themes in an approachable and engaging manner.
Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.
Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:
From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.