Missing The Bird Poem by Roy Ballard

'Did you sleep well? ' my good Norse host enquired.
Sleeping, sleeping, dreamless, uninspired,
unconsciously I passed the splendid night.
Auroras wove above with elvish light,
warping and wefting, dipping dye on dye.
with flying fingers and a painter's eye…
Ah! How I would have watched however tired.

Beneath my roof he slept. The night was mild,
quite melted by the thrush's notes which flowed
quicksilver through the window. Wistful, wild,
the music filled the pillowed ear and strode
beyond the pales of poetry. Unheard!
Deep in the dark of dreamland fast interred
my honoured guest forever missed the bird.