Four in the Morning Courage

The birds this morning wakened me so early it was hardly day:
Ten sparrows in the lilac tree, a blackbird in the may,
A starling somewhere in the mews, a songthrush on a broken hat
Down in the yard the grocers use, all cried:" Beware;
Beware! The Cat!"
I've never had the heart to rhyme, this year: I've always wakened sad
And late, if might be, so the time would be more short—but I was glad
With a mad gladness in to-day that is the longest day in June.
(That blackbird's nesting in the may.) For only yesterday at noon
In the long grass of Holland Park, I think—I think—I heard a lark…
I heard your voice: I saw your face once more…
(Upon that packing case
The starling waked me ere the day aping the thrush's sober tune).