Here's three ancient riddles, each of which describes a bird ....... [a] My clothes are silent when I walk the earth, Or rest at home, or ride the waters. Sometimes my wings and this lofty air Lift me high above houses of men, And the heavens carry me far and wide Over the world. My feathered wings Whistle loudly, singing a shrill And melodious song when moving high, I pass like a soul over land and sea. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ [b] I talk through my mouth with many tongues, Vary my tone, and often change The sound of my voice. I give loud cries, Keep my tune, make songs without ceasing. An old evening singer, I bring pleasure To people in towns. When I burst Into a storm of notes, they fall silent, Suddenly listening. Say what I'm called Who like a mimic loudly mock A player's song, and announce to the world Many things that are welcome to men. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This one, I think, is the easiest ... [c] When I was born, my mother and father Abandoned me. I had no breath, No pulse of life, but a kind hearted creature Covered me up and kept me close, Just as she would if I were kin. A stranger, I was cosseted and cared for Until in the warmth of that welcome breast, I was brought to life. After that My foster mother fed me and then, When I was strong enough to set out on my own, I deserted her, so of daughters and sons, She had fewer in spite of all she had done. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This one, I think, is the toughest. [d] I am a wonder. I vary my voice, Sometimes bark like a dog, sometimes bleat like a goat, Sometimes honk like a goose, sometimes shriek like a hawk. Sometimes I mimic the dusky eagle, That war-bird's cry, sometimes I mock The kite's voice, sometimes the gull singing Where I sit glad. G suggests me, Also A and R, with O, H and I. Now I am named, As these six letters clearly say. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Here's some fine music from The Cure
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AuthorThat's the author up there ... I was young and sprightly then. Archives
October 2022
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