Oh little brown bird of my hedgerow tall,

Untroubled by crowns of crimson or robes of gold,

You flitter through branches and with twitters you call,

But with green monster eyes on others colours you behold.

As I have seen in your restless flight,

A dream held dear beneath your plain brown breast,

The thoughts to borrow the finches light,

To dazzle the others and to outshine the rest.

You dream of feathers like a sunset aflame,

With emerald glint and golden flare,

Of songs that would awaken all by their name,

And charm every creature so rare.

But little brown bird please listen well and you will see,

That beauty and grace can wholly be yours,

Your hidden strength is in your heart and simplicity,

And happiness exists much closer than far off shores.

As you will find, gaudy feathers may look bright by day,

But they fade as twilight claims the fading sky,

But your present colours will softly stay,

And occupy the space where deeper and gentle beauties lie.

You belong to the hush of the new sown seed,

To the patient earth and the westerly breeze and its tender call,

Unburdened by splendour and not chained by need,

You are small and brown but loved by all.

So sing and dance oh little brown bird in a style you own,

Untroubled by aspirations that would have you stray,

For no borrowed tune could match your natural tone,

So please be aware of your worth and choose to stay.

So we who wander in a crude disguise,

May observe and learn from natures true art,

That you do not need to show off and to prove you’re wise,

It rests at ease in your simple good heart.