Hi everyone, I found this poem when I was reading a book a while ago and thought that I should retraced it. I don't know much about poetry but I think that it is a very good poem. Sorry for the lack of detail on the author and when it was written etc.
So here it is:
A wise old owl lived in a oak tree
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard
Why cant we be like that wise old bird?
-(via liy)
Im not sure who or what via liy is because I just re-wrote it as I saw it. I cant seem to find the author so I hope I'm not breaking copyright. Any info on this poem would be appreciated
Does anyone else know any other good bird poems?
I think it's a nursery rhyme isn't it?
Here is one for all the "strange" people, like ME, (Andy, Birdie and Akos?) LOL Weird-Bird by Shel Silverstein Birds are flyin' south for winter. Here's the Weird-Bird headin' north, Wings a-flappin', beak a-chatterin', Cold head bobbin' back'n'forth. He says,"It's not that I like ice Or freezin' winds and snowy ground. It's just, sometimes it's kind of nice To be the only bird in town"
M-L
Combining the current threads of "Raven/Crow" and this one, there is a poem called The Raven. I'm sure some of you have heard about it.
It is not exactly all about a bird, but it is well worth reading - if you've got the time! :-) Look it up.
- soakes
soakes
Olinda, Victoria, Australia
There is a very lengthy Indian poem that mothers would sing to their babies/small children to lullaby them to sleep.
It's about the Indian Mynah, I was taught it in Hindi many year ago when I was in India but now only remember odd lines. Will see if I can dig it up.
This is not the original poem about the Indian Mynah bird mentioned in my previous post. This is another I was taught in Hindi and Urdu, translated back to English:
A Minor Bird
I wished a bird would fly away
And not sing by my house all day
Have clapped my hands at him from the door
When it seemed I could bare no more
The fault must partly have been me
The bird was not to blame for his key
And of course there must be something wrong
In wanting to silence any song
Composed ny Robert Lee Frost (1874-1963) and very popular in the old days of colonial India being taught in schools to primary children.
Hi Cooee,
A link to
A Wise Old Owl - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hi Cooee,
A Wise Old Owl Rhyme
'A Wise Old Owl Nursery Rhyme & History'
The origins and history of 'A wise old owl' are vague, however its meaning isn't, basically it would be told to children in an attempt to to teach the child the virtue of being quiet! The lyrics of 'A wise old owl' poem are derived from the saying 'a wise old owl' based on an owl's behaviour of watching and patiently waiting when hunting its prey. Legends concerning the owl are recorded in Greek, Celtic, Native American and Aborigine mythology. The owl is is especially associated with wisdom in Greek mythology being linked with Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom. Athens is named from the Goddess Athena and its emblem is the owl . The owl was, for many years, viewed as a sinister bird only hunting at night when only evil spirits and witches were abroad - hence the connection with as a Witches Familiar! A wise old owl - "Children should be seen and not heard!"
A wise old owl nursery rhyme / poem
A wise old owl lived in an oak
The more he saw the less he spoke
The less he spoke the more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?
A wise old owl nursery rhyme / poem
Hi greenwing, nice poem about the wise old owl. One way to teach your children to shut up and not complain.
My Mother taught me, and I taught my children just the opposit : the more you see, the more you should speak up.I suspect the line in the old rhyme: the more he saw the less he spoke, was somewhat trying to control.These days we need people to: see, listen and speak up. M-l
M-L
Hi Araminta,
RE your comment -These days we need people to: see, listen and speak up. M-l
I was never encouraged to speak up
However, of late the tide has turned.
Politicians beware and I think that I might be denied entry to some countries.
I thought that it would be some childrens nursery rhyme or something. Interesting points Araminta and greenwing.
I note the earlier invitation to contribute bird poems. Here goes:
What a wonderful bird is the pelican
His(/her) beak can hold more than his(/her) bellycan.
He(/she) can hold in his(/her) beak
Enough for a week
And I wonder how the hellhe(/she)can.
&
The common cormorant or shag
Lays eggs inside a paper bag.
The reason is clear, no doubt
It is to keep the lightning out.
Hey Woko - my grandfather used to say the poem about the pelican, never heard anyone else say it at all! I like the cormorant one too. Wonder where she gets her paper bags?
Meave
Not from the plastic bag shop, that's for sure, Meave.