JAMES A. MACKERETH
TO A BLACKBIRD ON NEW YEAR'S DAY
Hail, truant with song-troubled breast—
Thou welcome and bewildering guest!
Blithe troubadour, whose laughing note
Brings Spring into a poet's throat,—
Flute, feathered joy! thy painted bill
Foretells the daffodil.
Enchanter, 'gainst the evening star