On Hearing A Goldfinch Singing Poem by Francis Duggan

I heard a goldfinch singing at the twilight of the day
And it took me to another Land far north and far away
To the leafy grove by the river when the dawn was breaking gray
And the meadows scenting sweetly of the fragrant blooms of May.

The distinct song of the goldfinch a familiar song to me
By his voice I recognized him as him I did not have to see
At the verge of his borders on branch of horse chestnut tree
He carolled in the gray dawn to proclaim his territory.

I heard a goldfinch singing and I thought of my Homeland
And if you too are a migrant you like me can understand
How the song of a familiar bird bring you back thoughts of home
Though you love your adopted Country and nostalgia you've outgrown.

On a cootamundra wattle I heard a goldfinch sing
And it took me to a northern Land and to a distant Spring
And if you too are a migrant you like me would also know
That a voice that you grew up with takes you to the long ago.