The Titmouse

The Titmouse written by Walter de la Mare

The Veil and Other Poems (1921)

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     If you would happy company win,
     Dangle a palm-nut from a tree,
     Idly in green to sway and spin,
     Its snow-pulped kernel for bait; and see,
             A nimble titmouse enter in.

     Out of earth's vast unknown of air,
     Out of all summer, from wave to wave,
     He'll perch, and prank his feathers fair,
     Jangle a glass-clear wildering stave,
             And take his commons there —

     This tiny son of life; this spright,
     By momentary Human sought,
     Plume will his wing in the dappling light,
     Clash timbrel shrill and gay —
     And into time's enormous nought,
             Sweet-fed, will flit away.

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