Would I were a bird

To nest in a cover

Of leaves that hover

’Twixt earth and heaven

Where no sound is heard—

Only the uneven

Brush of winds that slumber

With no thought to cumber;

Would I were a bird!

Would I were a wave

To rise for a moment

From the ocean’s foment,

To puff my lips asunder

Blowing bubbles brave,

To dream and to wonder

Of the depths below me

And the winds that blow me—

Would I were a wave!

Bird, canst thou fashion

Song of things that grieve thee?

Wave hast thou passion

For things that will deceive thee?

Bird and wave I leave ye!