ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 25 



Skokie Memories 



Golden throated warbler tell me — 

 Or you, bittern, croak and tell — 



Skokie memories compel me, 

 With desire ineffable, 



To make question if its creatures 

 Fare as when I spake farewell. 



Then, oh, rufous-coated sparrow — 

 Then, oh, joyous throated wren, 



There were watery ways and narrow. 

 Where the silent water hen 



Sought her ancient sanctuary. 

 Is she hidden now as then? 



Does the swallow, like an arrow, 

 Skim along the Skokie's marge, 



Iris-blue and white with yarrow? 

 Does the bobolink enlarge, 



As of old, themes Hedonistic? 



Comes Sir Redwing to the charge? 



If such Junes as once befell me 

 Skokie wanderers yet may know, 



It were very kind to tell me. 

 Do the winds of Skokie blow, 



Spicy with the smell of flagroot? 

 Give me answer — I must go! 



