The Sentinel Bird Poem by robert dickerson

The sentinel bird, the sentinel bird
sings out both night and day
the loveliest song you ever heard-
it carries you away.

The sentinel bird, the sentinel bird
awaits the break of day.
Listen and let your heart be stirred
Mi so fa so re.

The sentinel bird, the sentinel bird
shreiks out in the furious fray
and you may hear him, word for word
December, June and May.

If we could but translate all his words
what a gorgeous poem he would say
to himself and all the other birds
alack, alack, alay.

Cats at his feet have mewed and purred
under skies both blue and grey.
But they never can catch the sentinel bird
He merely flies away.

The song continues all the day
that with the dawn began-
for when it stops, alack, alay,
that day your life is done.