The Child And The Thrush Poem by SHAUN TRAYNOR

THE CHILD AND THE THRUSH
Consider the thrush how it learns to sing,
and then the song that has brought it fame,
remember that this is no ordinary thing,
but something learned in beauty's name.

Consider the child, how it learns to talk,
before it has gained a foothold in speech,
will turn in its bed and try all the sounds
that would seem to bring words a bit nearer its reach.

Consider the mother of each feather-less bird,
how she warms every egg 'til she hears the first cheep,
and think of a mother's delight in the word
of a child that can sing as soon as it speaks.

Then consider the poet and fill up his cup,
for the bird it has flown and the child grown up,
the child and the thrush you will find in his head,
consider the poet before he is dead.