Alabama, 19 18. 4.7 



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THE CHICKADEE 



I AM cherry, black-capped Chickadee, 

 With my head as dark as the duskiest tree ; 

 I'm as gray as the boughs of the beeches bare, 

 And as white as the snow that is lodging there ; 

 While my sides are tinged like the willow wands, 

 That rim with yellow the streams and ponds. 



As I dart about, as I swing and I sway, 

 No blinding storm doth me dismay. 

 For I'm borne with the flakes as they scurry 

 And I gleefully sing my tiny song : 

 "Chick-a-dee-dee-dee ! Chick-a-dee-dee-dee ! 

 This world holds nothing but good for me." 



When insect eggs are incased in ice 



In the crystallized trunks, I fly in a trice 



To the homes of the human friends I know. 



Who have spread me a feast on the crusted snow. 



"Chick-a-dee-dee-dee ! Chick-a-dee-dee-dee ! 



Oh, wouldn't you like to make friends with me ?" 



—A. n. B. 



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