Riehlife Poem of the Day: Christopher Buckley’s “Sparrows” from Dust Light, Leaves
Sparrows
by Christopher Buckley
from Dust Light, Leaves
Like the poor, they are with us always . . .
what they lack in beauty is theirs
in good cheer—tails like pump handles
lifting them first among songsters, chiding
city light or roadside to evening’s praise.
Gristmills, hardy gleaners, but for them
the weeds and thorns would find us wanting.
Ragmen to the wind, Sophists of the twig,
they pause to bathe in the ample dust
and accept the insect as relish to the seed.
So it is becoming to not be too fastidious
when you are rapidly inheriting the earth.