Poetry Friday: Robin Redbreast

The fireside for the Cricket,

The wheatstack for the Mouse,

When trembling night-winds whistle

And moan all round the house;

The frosty ways like iron,

The branches plumed with snow, --

Alas! in Winter, dead and dark,

Where can poor Robin go?

Robin, Robin Redbreast,

O Robin dear!

And a crumb of bread for Robin,

His little heart to cheer.

(Excerpted from Robin Redbreast by William Allingham)

Continuing with the winter birding theme, for this week's Poetry Friday, I chose a lovely poem by William Allingham. It think it will look nice in our nature notebook. The poem in its entirety references all of the seasons, but I chose this particular stanza for, though it feels much like spring in New England these days, winter really is here for a spell. The birds know it even if we don't!

At the end of this post I tucked in one more little poem about the robin, this one by Christina Rossetti (my favorite children's poet) from her Sing-Song collection. I noticed both poets speak of sharing a "crumb" with the robin, which is reminiscent of course of our winter birdfeeding.

If you can believe it, the image at the top is a scan of a gift box I bought at the grocery store! I love this image of the beloved British robin. (No, I've never set foot on British soil, but I just know in my bones I would love it there!) We'll begin reading The Secret Garden later this winter and so a closer look at the robin - both American and British - will be in store. I think it would be fun to look at how the robin has been featured throughout children's literature.

My friend Wendy, who lives but a mile from us, saw robins in her yard the other day, so we'll be keeping our eyes peeled. It's funny how we see robins now and again through the winter - they're not quite the spring harbinger they were once known to be.

For more winter birding ideas, please see my friend Jennifer's blog As Cozy as Spring. (I just have to try making that birding bag, Jenn!) And for the whole Poetry Friday Round-Up please stop by A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy later today.

Bread and milk for breakfast,

And woolen frocks to wear,

And a crumb for robin redbreast

On the cold days of the year

~ Christina Rossetti