Hawks by James Stephens

"We did not speak—there was no need to speak."

Hawks
by James Stephens

And as we walked the grass was faintly stirred;
        We did not speak—there was no need to speak.
Above our heads there flew a little bird,
        A silent one who feared that we might seek
Her hard-hid nest.

Poor little frightened one!
        If we had found your nest that sunny day
We would have passed it by; we would have gone
        And never looked or frightened you away.

O little bird! there's many have a nest,
        A hard-found, open place, with many a foe;
And hunger and despair and little rest,
        And more to fear than you can know.

            Shield the nests where'er they be,
            On the ground or on the tree;
            Guard the poor from treachery.

First published in Poetry (August 1914).