"Poetry Break!"

 

"The Red-Bird" by Evaleen Stein

Swept lightly by the south wind
   The elm-leaves softly stirred,
And in their pale green clusters
   There straightway bloomed a bird!

His glossy feathers glistened
   With dyes as richly red
As any tulip flaming
   From out the garden bed.

But ah, unlike the tulips,
   In joyous strain, ere long,
This red-bird flower unfolded
   A heart of golden song!