AUSPEX

by: James Russell Lowell (1819-1891)

Y heart, I cannot still it,

Nest that had song-birds in it;

And when the last shall go,

The dreary days to fill it,

Instead of lark or linnet,

Shall whirl dead leaves and snow.

 

Had they been swallows only,

Without the passion stronger

That skyward longs and sings,--

Woe's me, I shall be lonely

When I can feel no longer

The impatience of their wings!

 

A moment, sweet delusion,

Like birds the brown leaves hover;

But it will not be long

Before their wild confusion

Fall wavering down to cover

The poet and his song.

• James Russell Lowell: Bibliography - A bibliography of the works of James Russell Lowell; includes a list of critical and biographical resources.
• Purchase books by James Russell Lowell