42 Bird Day Book 



APRIL'S DAY 



IN THE tall elm tree sat the robin bright, 

 Through the rainy April day, 

 And he carolled clear with a pure delight 



In the face of the sky so gray, 

 And the silver rain through the blossoms dropped, 



And fell on the robin's coat. 

 And his brave red breast, but he never stopped 

 Singing his cheerful note. 



For, oh, the fields were green and glad, 



And the blissful life that stirred 

 In the earth's wide breast was full and warm 



In the heart of the little bird. 

 The rain-cloud lifted, the sunset light 



Streamed wide over valley and hill 

 As the plains of heaven the land grew bright 



And the warm south wind was still. 



Then loud and clear called the happy bird, 



And rapturously he sang. 

 Till wood and meadow and riverside 



With jubilant echoes rang. 

 But the sun dropped down in the great west, 



And he hushed his song at last, 

 All nature softly sang to rest. 



And the April day had passed. 



— Celia Thaxter. 



