Grace Hazard and Hilda Conkling
Reading edition
THEY SEE THE BIRDIE
(Mrs. Conkling points maternally.)
Oh, Hilda! see the little Bird! If you will watch, upon my word He will come out; a Veery 1 he As like an Oboe as can be: He shall be wingèd, with a tail, Mayhap a Beak him shall not fail! And I will tell him, "Birdie, oh, This is my Hilda, you must know— And oh, what joy, if you but knew— She shall make poetry on you!"
(The Birdie obliges, whereupon Hilda recites obediently, while her mother, concealing herself completely behind the bird, takes dictation.)
Oh, my lovely Mother, That is a Bird: Sitting on a Tree. I am a Little Girl Standing on the Ground. I see the Bird, The Bird sees me. Bird! Color of Grass! I love my Mother More than I do You!