Sweet Stay-at-Home
July 6, 2023Songs of Joy
July 6, 2023
Sweet Birds, I Come
The bird that now
On bush and tree,
Near leaves so green
Looks down to see
Flowers looking up–
He either sings
In ecstasy
Or claps his wings.
Why should I slave
For finer dress
Or ornaments;
Will flowers smile less
For rags than silk?
Are birds less dumb
For tramp than squire?
Sweet birds, I come.
William Henry Davies (1871-1940) was a Welsh poet and writer, best known for his works that celebrated the beauty and simplicity of nature. He was born in Newport, Wales and spent much of his early life as a tramp, travelling across the UK and the USA. Davies wrote about his experiences as a wanderer, drawing on themes of poverty, social injustice and the struggles of everyday life. His most famous works include "Leisure," "The Hill of Summer" and "Autumn Landscape."