Ode To A Yellow Speckled Barbet (Refrain Stanza Sequence) Poem by Gert Strydom

I
At first light your knocking and twittering
do awake me while to God you do sing
like a joyous lively small spirit
and snugly you do into every morning fit
at the window do flutter each tiny wing
and by now I do already know your song by heart
where to my greatest memories it has become a part
where you tell me it's a joy to be living
do awake me while to God you do sing

II
Louder and louder you do welcome the day,
do beckon me to get on my knees and pray
while you sing out your heart's desire,
while the sun is catching its red fire,
where with your song every care is swept away
and your voice is sincere and bright
during the brightening daylight
where it's as if you do secretive words say,
do beckon me to get on my knees and pray

III
and with your song you hold the melody
while through the window you want to reach me,
and small you are but big-eyed like an eagle
you do hold your head somewhat regal
as if you can into the depths of my heart see
with its long pointed narrowing bill
where up and down you do the window fill,
do sing of life and of its great journey
while through the window you want to reach me,

IV
your long twittering song does fill the air,
it seems is almost everywhere
and unbidden you sing out you own poetry,
telling about a world where everything is free
as if somehow you little bird, do really care
and in you little bird, I do God's presence see
as if through you He is bringing tranquillity
as if with you He is right here,
it seems is almost everywhere.

© Gert Strydom